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Understanding the Difference between Include(), Require(), Require_once(), and Include_once() in PHP
When it comes to including external files in PHP, four functions are commonly used - include(), require(), require_once(), and include_once(). Each of these functions serves a slightly different purpose, making it important to understand their distinctions:
- include(): The include() function includes and evaluates a specified file during execution. If the file is not found, a warning will be issued but the script will continue to run.
- require(): The require() function performs the same action as include(), but with one key difference - if the file is not found, a fatal error will be issued and the script will halt.
- require_once(): The require_once() function is similar to require() but ensures that the specified file is included only once in the script. This prevents multiple inclusions and potential issues.
- include_once(): Like require_once(), include_once() includes the specified file only once. However, if the file is not found, a warning is issued rather than a fatal error.
It is important to choose the appropriate function based on the specific requirements of your PHP script. The include(), require(), require_once(), and include_once() functions offer flexibility and control over how external files are included, ensuring efficient script execution.
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