What is the best SEF URL layout?

[jondolar]

My application has products and categories. I'm currently writing the SEF URL module. What is the best way to lay out the SEF URL? Here are some examples:

(12 = categoryid, 35 = productid on all below examples)

1. domain.com/12/35/product-name.php
2. domain.com/12/35/product-name
3. domain.com/12/35/product-name/
4. domain.com/product-name/12/35
5. domain.com/category-name/12/product-name/35
6. domain.com/category-name/product-name/12/25

I need the categoryid and the productid so I can find the product and category.

Should I try to stuff the category name in to the URL as well as the product name or is that just too much text?

Should I put the category name and/or product name closer to the domain name or does it not matter?

Is it better to have the last entry a file or a directory (as in option 1 vs. option 2)?

I appreciate any advice or links you can provide.

Thanks

[SantaRosaDesign]

Probably number 2 simply because that is the shortest of your options and short urls make for SEF urls.

[Vick!]

IMO best url is domain.com/category-name/product-name/

But if you must include category and product ID, use this:
domain.com/category-name/12/product-name/35/

And its better to end URL with directory name, simillar thread is here:
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442513

Good luck.