I have XAMPP installed and running. I have an SVN working directory (WD) on my local that checks out from the repository. I set up a virtual host in xampp to point to my WD, but my browser (FF) gives me a 500 http status error:
Either the server is overloaded or there was an error in a CGI script.
When I place a regular folder in the same location with the WD and switch names, it works fine.. Can I not use an SVN working directory as a web root folder?
You shouldn't have a problem using your working directory as the web root folder since apache2 and subversion are two separate services running each can use the same folder. I normally use rsync to copy from the trunk to web root. Check your permissions and if there's an htaccess file in the WD
If you are using an SVN checkout folder, you will want to deny access to the .svn directory. That directory contains a copy of your website, as well as history information about changes, as well as information about who made changes.
Here is a question from StackOverflow about the mechanics of doing so: Deny access to .svn folders on Apache. The accepted answer is to put the following into your httpd.conf file.
<DirectoryMatch .*\.svn/.*>
Deny From All
</DirectoryMatch>
There are also solutions in other answers that can be used in .htaccess files.
