A htaccess file in root directory before Symphony CMS install

[jurajkapsz]

Affected Symphony version(s): 2.7.x, 3.x
PHP version(s): 7.x, 8.x
MySQL version(s): MariaDB 10.3
OS(es): GNU/Linux

When a .htaccess file is present in root directory before Symphony CMS installation, the install process will append Symphony htaccess rules into the existing htaccess file in a way, that can lead to an internal server error.

Example

Existing .htaccess file:

php_flag short_open_tag 0

After installation:

php_flag short_open_tag 0### Symphony 2.7.x ###
Options +SymLinksIfOwnerMatch -Indexes
...

Server error.log:

.../.htaccess: php_flag takes two arguments, PHP Flag Modifier ...

Causing HTTP 500 Internal Server Error.

Proper solution?

1. Checking and deleting existing htaccess or moving into a .bak file prior the installation?
2. Append Symphony rules in a proper way to the existing rules, e.g. on a new line?
3. Commenting out existing htaccess rules and appending Symphony rules?
4. Just inform user in readme that there must not be a .htaccess in root directory prior installation?