Include PHP file as string

Question

is it possible to make something like this?

// file.php
$string = require('otherfile.php');
echo $string;

// otherfile.php
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head><title>Test</title></head>
<body>
<?php require 'body.php';?>
</body>
</html>

// body.php
<p>Lorem ipsum something</p>

And get this output?

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head><title>Test</title></head>
<body>
<p>Lorem ipsum something</p>
</body>
</html>

I know that code won't work, but I hope you understand what I mean.

This looks a bit like you are re-inventing templates. Maybe you can use a template engine? — The Nail
– The Nail, Commented Jan 5, 2012 at 23:11
I think template engines were re-inventing PHP but it's a matter of opinion :) — Yaniro
– Yaniro, Commented Jan 5, 2012 at 23:14

MDEV · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 23:07:27Z

67

file.php

ob_start();
include 'otherfile.php';
$string = ob_get_clean();

answered Jan 5, 2012 at 23:07

MDEV

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4 Comments

Bink Over a year ago

There is a parse() function on the PHP site at php.net/manual/en/function.ob-start.php that adds error reporting and allows you to pass variables to the template file.

Gmeister4 Over a year ago

This solution is better than Mark Bakers - if you want to execute PHP code inside otherfile.php

Craig Edmonds Over a year ago

This worked perfectly for me inside my wordpress plugin where I am calling up an include file within a shortcode. Thanks @SmokeyPHP

Robert Moskal Over a year ago

Awesome and insane in equal parts!

Mark Baker · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 23:10:36Z

15

$string = file_get_contents('otherfile.php',TRUE);
echo $string

Use of the TRUE argument for file_get_contents() means it will search using the include path, like a normal include or require

answered Jan 5, 2012 at 23:10

Mark Baker

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2 Comments

maaudet Over a year ago

If there is PHP in this file it's not going to be interpreted, you would need to use eval or something similar.

Mark Baker Over a year ago

Manhim, I'm aware it would need evalling (or prettyfying if being echoed for display).... that was my reading of what OP wanted.

maaudet · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 23:09:47Z

3

Another cool thing to know, but SmokeyPHP's answer might be better:

<?php
$var = require 'myfile.php';

myfile.php:

<?php
return 'mystring';

answered Jan 5, 2012 at 23:09

maaudet

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Comments

dqhendricks · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 23:13:36Z

1

Yes, you can use a return statement in a file, and requires and includes will return the returned value, but you would have to modify the file to say something more like

<?php
    return '<p>Lorem ipsum something</p>';
?>

check example #5 under include documentation http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.include.php

edited Jan 5, 2012 at 23:13

answered Jan 5, 2012 at 23:08

dqhendricks

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Comments

T.Kalweit · Accepted Answer · 2019-12-20 05:14:16Z

0

I need a solution for Joomla and dompdf and I found this solution

ob_start();
require_once JPATH_COMPONENT . DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR . 'file.php';
$html = ob_get_clean();

only with require_once can use all functions from Joomla at the loaded script. The file.php is a .html file renamed to .php and where added php code.

edited Dec 20, 2019 at 5:14

answered Dec 19, 2019 at 18:25

T.Kalweit

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