apache - htaccess If...Else always selects Else -

i set environment variable in httpd-vhosts.conf

setenv early_var 1 

i try setting special rules based on value in .htaccess

<if "%{env:early_var} == '1'">    setenv test_var  if_branch </if> <else>     setenv test_var  else_branch </else> 

i expect test_var environment var equal if_branch. in php

var_dump(getenv('early_var')); // string '1' var_dump(getenv('test_var')); // string 'else_branch' 

i tried setting early_var in .htaccess above if/else, both using setenv , setenvif. else branch executed.

why this?

apache 2.4

without using expression i.e. if/else directives can this:

# set early_var 1 setenvif host ^ early_var=1  # if early_var 1 set test_var if_branch setenvif early_var ^1$ test_var=if_branch  # if early_var not 1 set test_var else_branch setenvif early_var ^(?!1$) test_var=else_branch 

this work older apache versions i.e. <2.4

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edit:

in apache config or vhost config have variable initialization:

setenvif host ^ early_var=5 

then in .htaccess can use:

<if "env('early_var') == '5'">    setenv test_var if_branch </if> <else>    setenv test_var else_branch </else> 

reason why need env variable declaration in apache/vhost config because .htaccess loaded after apache/vhost config , env variables set in same .htaccess not available evaluation in if/else expressions.

also, note important use setenvif instead of setenv make these variables available if/else expressions.