https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/rewrite/intro.html#htaccess says: "The main difference with per-server rewrites is that ..." I read this as implying that the per-server rewrites are being discussed here. I think that should be: "The main difference from per-server rewrites is that ..." This will clarify that it is the .htaccess behaviour that is being compared with the per-server behaviour.