Multi-Evironment config bootstrap above webroot on a single server

Question

I'm working on a project that only has one server to work with. That means the production and development server are the same and development is a sub domain (dev.example.com). In the past when I've run into this it hasn't been an issue to use the Focus Labs multi environment bootstrap setup. I just put both system folders above webroot:

• Pulblic_html
  • www.example.com
    • system
  • dev.example.com
    • system

However on this project we want to put the system folder above webroot:

• system
• Public_html
  • www.example.com

That presents a problem when putting dev on the same server. They would both point to the same folder above webroot. Is there a way to have the bootstrap file look for a different system folder above webroot?

• system
• system_dev
• public_html
  • www.example.com
  • dev.example.com

I trie hacking around the config file, but didn't have any luck. Anyone do this? It seems like a pretty common scenario people would encounter.

Answer 1

Another option, though not ideal, would be to put a conditional in the index.php and admin.php files:

switch ($_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']) {
    case "www.example.com" :
        $system_path = "../system";
    break;

    case "dev.example.com" :
        $system_path = "../system_dev";
    break;

    default :
        $system_path = "../system";
    break;
}

Answer 2

Ultimately it comes down to your hosting company and how much control they have over mapping the domain's web root.

I'd ask your host if you can re-map the production domain to point to /public_html/public. Same with your development domain, have it mapped to dev_html/public. So your setup will look like this:

• dev_html
  • system
  • public
• public_html
  • system
  • public

Or, another option would be:

• public_html
  • www.example.com
    • public
    • system
  • dev.example.com
    • public
    • system

That way you can keep your above-root assets separate and tidy.