Overriding application pages

Previously when you wanted to override an application page you deployed your new application page to the Layouts folder, and created a http-module which redirected any requests for the old application page to the new one. This method still works in 2010, but now we also have the method UpdateMappedPage on the SPWebApplication object. This method creates a redirection without the use of a http-module. You simply define which application page you want to override and provide a new url. Sounds sweet, doesn't it? But keep your pants on. You define which application page you want to override with the enum SPCustomPage. This enum has the following values: None, AccessDenied, Confirmation, Error, Login, RequestAccess, Signout and WebDeleted. Thats it. This means that if you want to override any other application page you still have to create a http-module.

Yet another day in SharePoint paradise...