What are the differences between include() and require() functions in PHP?

Differences between include() and require() functions in PHP

When it comes to including files in PHP, the include() and require() functions are commonly used, but there are some key differences between them:

1. Behavior on failure:
• include(): If the file being included is not found, a warning is issued and the script continues to execute.
• require(): If the file being included is not found, a fatal error is issued and the script stops execution.
2. Usage:
• include(): It is used when the file is not absolutely necessary for the script to continue executing.
• require(): It is used when the file is essential for the script and its absence should halt the execution.
3. Performance:
• include(): It is slower compared to require() as it adds an overhead due to error handling mechanism.
• require(): It is faster since it does not need to check for errors.