DOCUMENT:Q294217 08-MAY-2002 [iis] TITLE :Cannot Retrieve Custom HTTP Variables That Contain an Underscore PRODUCT :Internet Information Server PROD/VER::3.0,4.0,5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 3.0, 4.0 - Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== IIS cannot retrieve custom HTTP header variables that contain an underscore following "HTTP_" (for example, "HTTP_SM_TESTVARIABLE"). The value returned for the header variable is NULL. CAUSE ===== Any underscore ( _ ) that follows "HTTP_" is incorrectly converted to a dash when IIS attempts to retrieve the custom header value for the variable, and therefore, the variable is not found. WORKAROUND ========== Do not use an underscore in the custom HTTP header variable name. -OR- Retrieve and parse the HTTP_ALL header variable for the custom HTTP header variable. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbiisSearch kbiis500 kbiis400 kbiis300 Version : :3.0,4.0,5.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbpending ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.