PHP | readfile( ) Function (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 04 Sep, 2019

The readfile() function in PHP is an inbuilt function which is used to read a file and write it to the output buffer. The filename is sent as a parameter to the readfile() function and it returns the number of bytes read on success, or FALSE and an error on failure.
By adding an ‘@’ in front of the function name the error output can be hidden.

Syntax:

readfile(filename, include_path, context)

Parameters Used:
The readfile() function in PHP accepts three parameters.

  1. filename : It is a mandatory parameter which specifies the file name.
  2. include_path : It is an optional parameter which can be set to 1 if you want to search for a file in the include_path in php
  3. context : It is an optional parameter which specifies the behavior of the stream.

Return Value:
It returns the number of bytes read on success, or FALSE and an error on failure.

Note: URL can be used as a filename with this function if the fopen wrappers have been enabled.

Errors And Exception

Examples:

Input : echo readfile("gfg.txt"); Output : A computer portal for geeks!

Input : $myfile = @readfile("gfg.txt"); if (!$myfile) { print "File could not be opened"; } Output : A computer portal for geeks!

Below programs illustrate the readfile() function.

Suppose there is a file named “gfg.txt”

Program 1

<?php

echo readfile( "gfg.txt" );

?>

Output:

A computer portal for geeks!

Program 2

<?php

$myfile = @readfile( "gfg.txt" );

if (! $myfile )

{

`` print "File could not be opened" ;

}

?>

Output:

A computer portal for geeks!

Reference:
http://php.net/manual/en/function.readfile.php