---
title: "Include and Require function in PHP"
description: "Before discussing about include () and require () function in PHP first we will described what is Server Side Includes (SSI)? Server Side Includes (SS"
author: "Anonymous User"
published: 2011-09-13
updated: 2020-03-04
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/727/include-and-require-function-in-php
category: "php"
tags: ["php"]
reading_time: 3 minutes
---
# Include and Require function in PHP
Before discussing about include () and require () function in PHP first we will described what is [Server Side](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/143/close-popup-window-by-server-side-code) Includes (SSI)? Server Side Includes (SSI) is an [efficient](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/33637/three-tips-for-an-energy-efficient-home-for-2019) way through which we can insert all [content of one](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/118/problem-in-display-content-of-one-page-to-another-page) PHP file to another PHP file before the server executes it, with include() or require() function.\
##### The two functions are identical in every way, except how they handle errors:
- include() generates a warning, but the script will continue [execution](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/178/synchronous-and-asynchronous-command-execution-in-c-sharp-dot-net)
- require() generates a [fatal error](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94996/how-do-i-fix-a-fatal-error-in-windows-10), and the script will stop
These two [functions](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/34086/jquery-callback-functions) are used to create functions, headers, footers, or elements that will be reused on multiple pages.
##### Include () function:
include () function takes all the content in a specified file and includes it in the current file. If an error occurs, include () function generates a warning, but the script will continue execution.
##### Example:
Now let’s assume that we have a [master page](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/649/set-header-and-footer-with-in-master-page), called ‘MasterPage.php’. To include this file into ‘home.php’ page, use include () function.
##### Code of ‘Home.php’ page:
```
PhpInclude File
```
Here you can use require () function in place of include () function because both are identical in every way, except how they [handle error](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159014/how-does-rust-handle-error-handling-and-what-are-the-advantages-of-its-approach).
All pages in the [Web site](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12285/the-finest-web-site-design-trends-you-may-expect-in-2017) should include this master file. Here is how it can be done:
##### Code of ‘MasterPage.php’ page:
```
Timestamp Welcome Hello word
```
Now execute the ‘Home.php’ page, following output look like this.
If you look at the source code of the page above (in a browser), it will look like this:
##### require () function :
require () function works same as include function except how they [handle errors](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159698/how-to-handle-errors-and-exceptions-in-a-dot-net-core-api).
Let’s we have an example, how they handles error.
Example: Include php file with the help of include() function.
```
'; // display a message after including 'Temporary.php' file echo ''.'Message: Temporary file included'; ?>
```
##### Output:
Example: Include php file with the help of require () function.
```
'; // display a message after including 'Temporary.php' file echo ''.'Message: Temporary file included'; ?>
```
##### Output:
From above two outputs it is clear that If an error occurs (when including php file), include () function generates a warning, but the script will continue execution and message is going to be display but require () generates a fatal error, and the script will stop.
---
Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/727/include-and-require-function-in-php
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