PHP file_get_contents() Function

The file_get_contents() reads a file into a string. This function is the preferred way to read the contents of a file into a string. Because it will use memory mapping techniques, if this is supported by the server, to enhance performance.

string file_get_contents ( string $filename [, bool $use_include_path = FALSE [, resource $context [, int $offset = 0 [, int $maxlen ]]]] )

This function is similar to file(), except that file_get_contents() returns the file in a string, starting at the specified offset up to maxlen bytes. On failure, file_get_contents() will return FALSE. file_get_contents() is the preferred way to read the contents of a file into a string. It will use memory mapping techniques if supported by your OS to enhance performance.

Example -

Example -

Example -

The above example will output something similar to:

string(14) "lle Bjori Ro" 

Example -

ParameterDescription
pathRequired. Specifies the file to read
include_pathOptional. Set this parameter to '1' if you want to search for the file in the include_path (in php.ini) as well
contextOptional. Specifies the context of the file handle. Context is a set of options that can modify the behavior of a stream. Can be skipped by using NULL.
startOptional. Specifies where in the file to start reading. This parameter was added in PHP 5.1
max_lengthOptional. Specifies how many bytes to read. This parameter was added in PHP 5.1

Note -

If you're opening a URI with special characters, such as spaces, you need to encode the URI with urlencode().