The require_once() statement includes and evaluates the specified file during the execution of the script. This is a behavior similar to the require() statement, with the only difference being that if the code from a file has already been included, it will not be included again. See the documentation for require() for more information on how this statement works.
require_once() should be used in cases where the same file might be included and evaluated more than once during a particular execution of a script, and you want to be sure that it is included exactly once to avoid problems with function redefinitions, variable value reassignments, etc.
For examples on using require_once() and include_once(), look at the PEAR code included in the latest PHP source code distributions.
Note: require_once() was added in PHP 4.0.1pl2
Note: Be aware, that the behaviour of require_once() and include_once() may not be what you expect on a non case sensitive operating system (such as Windows).
Example 12-8. require_once() is case sensitive
require_once("a.php"); // this will include a.php require_once("A.php"); // this will include a.php again on Windows!
| Warning |
Windows versions of PHP prior to PHP 4.3 do not support accessing remote files via this function, even if allow_url_fopen is enabled. |
See also: require(), include(), include_once(), get_required_files(), get_included_files(), readfile(), and virtual().