What is the difference between include() and require() in PHP?

Both include and require add the code of another file into your script. The difference is what happens when the file is missing.

Statement	If the file is missing
include	Shows a warning and the script continues
include_once	Same as include, but does not add the same file again
require	Shows a fatal error and the script stops
require_once	Same as require, but does not add the same file again

<?php
echo "Start<br>";

include "missing.php";   // warning, but the script goes on
echo "After include<br>";

require "missing.php";   // fatal error, the script stops here
echo "After require";    // this line never runs
?>

What you will see: “Start”, then a warning, then “After include”, and then a fatal error. The text “After require” is never shown.

Use require for files that your page can not work without, like database connection or config. Use include for optional parts, like a sidebar. Read more in PHP File Inclusion.

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