= Nginx Location =

In the configuration syntax for '''`nginx(8)`''', a location is a (collection of) URI(s).

<<TableOfContents>>

----



== Prefix Locations ==

Prefix locations map to directories and files. Like directories, they can be nested.

`nginx(8)` serves the location with the longest matching prefix.

{{{
root /var/www;

location / {
  try_files $uri $uri/ /index.html;
}

location /static/ {
  root /usr/local/share/myapp;
}

location /robots.txt {
  root /var/www;
}
}}}

As noted below, regular expression locations will take priority over prefix locations. Try `location ^~ /static` to override this. 

----



== Regular Expression Locations ==

Regular expression locations are checked in the order they appear in the server block, and the first match is served.

{{{
location ~* /images/ {
  # This operator is case sensitive
}

location ~* /Images/ {
  # This operator is case insensitive
}
}}}

These locations take priority over prefix locations, except for those using the `^~` operator. 

----



== Exact Locations ==

`=` is a short circuit operator. If a request matches an exact location ''exactly'', `nginx(8)` immediately serves it. This is mainly useful for the root index.

{{{
location = / {
  try_files $uri $uri/ /index.html;
}
}}}

----



== Named Locations ==

Named locations, which are identified by the `@` prefix, do not map to directories. Named locations cannot be nested and cannot contain nested locations.

These locations are used for routing.

{{{
try_files $uri @uwsgi;
location @uwsgi {
  include /etc/nginx/uwsgi_params;
  uwsgi_pass unix:///var/www/my-wsgi-app/my-wsgi-app.sock;
}
}}}

----



== Order of Operations ==

 1. `nginx(8)` scans the ''prefix'' and ''exact locations'' in order of length. If the ''exact location'' matches, `nginx(8)` short circuits and immediately serves that location.
 2. The longest matching location is stored. If that location used the `^~` operator, `nginx(8)` short circuits and serves that location.
 3.  `nginx(8)` scans the ''regular expression locations'' in order of their appearance in the configuration file. If one matches, `nginx(8)` short circuits and immediately serves that location.
 4. Finally, `nginx(8)` serves the stored prefix location.

Given the computation needed to process long lists of locations, especially when regular expression locations are present, the short circuit operators can be very important.



----
CategoryRicottone