PHP Include files

In PHP, include and require are both used for including external files in a PHP script. These external files can contain functions, variables, HTML, or other PHP code that you want to reuse across multiple pages. The primary difference between them lies in how they handle errors and whether the script execution continues when the included file is not found:

1. include Statement:

• The include statement is used to include a file in PHP.
• If the included file is not found, include generates a warning and allows the script to continue executing.
• It is commonly used for non-critical files, such as templates or optional components.

include("file_to_include.php");

require Statement:

• The require statement is also used to include a file in PHP.
• If the included file is not found, require generates a fatal error and halts script execution.
• It is commonly used for essential files or components that are necessary for the script to function correctly.

require("file_to_require.php");

Use include when you want to include a file that may not be critical to the operation of your script, and you want the script to continue running even if the included file is missing or encounters an error.

Use require when you want to include a file that is essential for the operation of your script, and you want to ensure that the script doesn't continue if the included file is missing or has errors.

Both include and require statements are followed by a file path that points to the external file you want to include. When you use them, the code from the included file becomes part of the script, and you can access functions, variables, and code defined in that external file.

For example :

<?php
include("header.php");
?>

<?php
require("config.php");
?>

In next chapter we will practice file handling

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