Reference to root and sub directories

$_server['document_root']

[mvaz]

I have this test site that has a subfolder called includes; wherein I have my include files.

Now, when I need to include any of these files on other files, if I use include_once $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] ."/includes/file_name.php";, it works fine.

But if I use "/includes/file_name.php" it won't work.

However, if I use "../includes/file_name.php" it works fine.

Now, any suggestions as to why this variance, and which is the best approach and why?

Many thanks for your suggestions and opinions.

[Readie]

In HTML etc, / designates the root of the web directory
In PhP, / designates the root of the drive partition

Probably best to use $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] as it's an absolute, whereas ../ is a relative.

[Matthew1980]

Hi there mvaz,

Just a thought, but when you use:-

"/includes/file_name.php" it won't work.

I think it would work if you had:-

"./includes/file_name.php" in it, meaning the current/working directory, that is if it is a folder tree based in the website root..

Personally I always define the <base href="http://www.somesite.com" /> in the head of the main index file, then, at least there is a reference to it.

Another good way is to:-

define('PATH', dirname(__FILE__). "/"); //current dir..

include(PATH."includes/sign-up.php");

Just a couple of ways that I tend to employ.

Cheers,

MRb

[g1smd]

The base tag is usually irrelevant because the file content is included via an internal filesystem call, and not via an external HTTP request.

It is a browser that evaluates the base tag content, not the server.

[Matthew1980]

Hi there g1smd,

WRT <base>, I actually reference a Constant there that contains the complete site url including the last / so that if I need it elsewhere I just reference the Constant, then I know its the full path being used rather than just ../ or ./

Thats just my preference, I did find that without the <base> defined, the .htaccess didn't function.. This may be an obvious thing, but I never really understood why, I'm just glad as it works!

Cheers,

MRb

[mvaz]

Guys, thank you for your wonderful responses, opinions and suggestive ideas with reasons.

This has given me quite a bit of idea and options of how to workaround this issue.

Once again, thank you, and if I have any problems, I know where to come back to.

[penders]

See also this thread (which also includes a link to the forum library):
Controling include path using config.php [webmasterworld.com]