do you use php includes or requires?

Lloyd Buchinski · 01-06-2010, 11:53 AM

W3schools mentions that you should always use the "requires because scripts should not continue after an error."

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Is this something that doesn't make a gnat worth of difference?

Also I have WAMP installed now. My first include wouldn't work but when I uploaded it to a host it worked fine. I tried to double click on the WampServer icon first, then on the .php page, but my include menu didn't show up. Tried quite a few times.

Any idea about what I or my machine might be doing wrong?

best wishes, lloyd
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n7 Studios · 01-06-2010, 12:02 PM

require() produces a fatal error if the file cannot be found, therefore stopping any further script execution

include() produces a warning if the file cannot be found, but does not stop further script execution

It's your choice which you use based on the scenario you're coding for - you wouldn't want to use include() if the file you're including has functions which you then later assume in your coding are available to call, otherwise you'll get a host of errors.

mattalways · 01-06-2010, 02:43 PM

I use include(); Works like a charm!

It's great to make w3 compliant code, but they go a bit crazy at times. I'm not really sure how these two will make any difference to your overall output.

CarloD. · 01-06-2010, 02:52 PM

Ya go with includes.

LenD · 01-07-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd Buchinski

W3schools mentions that you should always use the "requires because scripts should not continue after an error."

Here's what you need to consider. What is the purpose of the include file? If it's providing your database connection string, or some global variables that are needed by other scripts, then the script is going to fail anyway.

What if the include loads your navigation menu and it fails for some reason? Does your site become unusable as a result.

If you want to differentiate between when you use include and require, I'd use this rule of thumb:

If a failure results in cosmetic errors only, like a log or footer failing to load, no big deal. Use 'include'

If the failure would result in the site not being usable, 'require' it.

I just use require all the time, but that's my choice.

Len

01-06-2010, 11:53 AM	#1
Lloyd Buchinski copy and paste geek War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 68 Thanked 168 Times in 140 Posts	do you use php includes or requires? W3schools mentions that you should always use the "requires because scripts should not continue after an error." I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Is this something that doesn't make a gnat worth of difference? Also I have WAMP installed now. My first include wouldn't work but when I uploaded it to a host it worked fine. I tried to double click on the WampServer icon first, then on the .php page, but my include menu didn't show up. Tried quite a few times. Any idea about what I or my machine might be doing wrong? best wishes, lloyd .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )...
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01-06-2010, 12:02 PM	#2
n7 Studios Web Developer, IT Support War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 513 Thanks: 10 Thanked 77 Times in 65 Posts Social Networking	Re: do you use php includes or requires? require() produces a fatal error if the file cannot be found, therefore stopping any further script execution include() produces a warning if the file cannot be found, but does not stop further script execution It's your choice which you use based on the scenario you're coding for - you wouldn't want to use include() if the file you're including has functions which you then later assume in your coding are available to call, otherwise you'll get a host of errors.
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01-06-2010, 02:43 PM	#3
mattalways HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 279 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: do you use php includes or requires? I use include(); Works like a charm! It's great to make w3 compliant code, but they go a bit crazy at times. I'm not really sure how these two will make any difference to your overall output.

01-06-2010, 02:52 PM	#4
CarloD. HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Thunder Bay ON Posts: 401 Thanks: 12 Thanked 42 Times in 36 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: do you use php includes or requires? Ya go with includes.