Problem with url rewrite

I have a problem with url re-write.

My host does not support the "DirectoryIndex"

My current .htaccess file looks like this:

DirectoryIndex index.php

RewriteEngine on
RewriteRule ^cat/([0-9]+)?/([0-9a-zA-Z'?-]+)/p([0-9]+) index.php?task=category&id=$1&name=$2&page=$3 [L]
RewriteRule ^cat/([0-9]+)?/([0-9a-zA-Z'?-]+)/([0-9a-zA-Z?-]+)/p([0-9]+) index.php?task=category&id=$1&name=$2&sortby=$3&page=$4 [L]

Code (markup):

Is there anyway to get the same result without using DirectoryIndex ?

 

I have done some testing, and .e.g WordPress work with permlink on the server.. So mod-rewrite should work at least.

But how does WordPRess rewrite?? Anyone know? I have tried to figure out.

 

Try this, maybe it helps.

RewriteEngine on
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^cat/([0-9]+)?/([0-9a-zA-Z'?-]+)/p([0-9]+) /index.php?task=category&id=$1&name=$2&page=$3 [L]
RewriteRule ^cat/([0-9]+)?/([0-9a-zA-Z'?-]+)/([0-9a-zA-Z?-]+)/p([0-9]+) /index.php?task=category&id=$1&name=$2&sortby=$3&page=$4 [L]

Code (markup):

 

Second this question, Wordpress is very mysterious with how they can easily allow you to customize your URL redirects. Can anybody provide insight into how this is possible?

 

I guess it's all about parsing $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] and proccesing it.

 

The default DirectoryIndex is index.php anyway so why would you even need it in the first place?

 

Yup, and index.(file) should be default.