Downloading a file is possible in PHP with PHP readfile() function. PHP readfile() function is a built in function already defined in PHP library.
PHP readfile() function:
PHP readfile() function is used to read a file and to write it to the output buffer. In case of a successful interaction, PHP readfile() function returns the number of bytes of the file read, while in case of a failure, a FALSE or an error is returned.
Syntax:
readfile(filename,include_path,context)
Filename: This is a mandatory parameter which specifies the name of the file to read.
Include_path: This is an optional parameter which is used to search a file in the included path, if the value of this parameter is set to “1” or “TRUE”. The default value of include-path is FALSE.
Context: This is an optional parameter which specifies the context (a set of options which is used to modify the behavior of a stream) of the file handle. In other words this parameter is a context stream resource.
Features of PHP readfile() function:
- An URL can also be used as a filename in PHP readfile() function, by enabling the fopen wrappers in the php.ini file.
- In case of a failure in reading a file and writing the file to the output buffer, an ‘@’ symbol can be used before the function name to hide the error output.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php echo readfile("phpfile.txt"); ?> </body> </html> |
Output:
Hello!I am the first line. And I am the second line. Hey, I am the third one. |
