What is the fread() Function?

The fread() function is a built-in PHP function that reads a specified number of bytes from a file. This function is used to read data from files.

Here's the basic syntax of the fread() function:

fread(file, length);

Where file is the file pointer to read from, and length is the number of bytes to read.

How to Use the fread() Function?

Using the fread() function is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open the file you want to read from using the fopen() function in read-only mode.
  2. Call the fread() function, passing in the file pointer and the number of bytes you want to read.
  3. Use the data read from the file as needed.
  4. Close the file using the fclose() function.

Here's an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use the fread() function:

<?php

$filename = 'myfile.txt';
$file = fopen($filename, 'r');
$data = fread($file, filesize($filename));
echo $data;
fclose($file);

In this example, we open the file myfile.txt using the fopen() function in read-only mode. We then read the entire contents of the file using the fread() function and store it in the variable $data. We then output the contents of the file using the echo statement before closing the file using the fclose() function.

Conclusion

The fread() function is a useful tool in PHP for reading data from files. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily use the fread() function in your PHP projects to read data from files.

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What is the purpose of the 'fread' function in PHP as explained in the provided URL?

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