PHP header() Function: Everything You Need to Know

As a PHP developer, you may need to manipulate HTTP headers in your web application. The header() function is a powerful tool that allows you to set HTTP headers in your PHP scripts. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the header() function and its usage.

What is the header() Function?

The header() function is a PHP built-in function that allows you to set HTTP headers in your PHP scripts.

How to Use the header() Function

Using the header() function is straightforward. Here is the syntax of the function:

header(string, replace, code);

The function takes three parameters:

• string: The string containing the header to be sent.
• replace: A boolean value indicating whether to replace the existing header with the same name. This parameter is optional and defaults to true.
• code: The HTTP response code to be sent. This parameter is optional and defaults to 200.

Here is an example of how to use the header() function to set an HTTP header:

<?php

header("Content-Type: application/json");

In this example, we set an HTTP header called "Content-Type" with the value "application/json". This header will be sent to the client when the script is executed.

Conclusion

The header() function is a powerful tool for manipulating HTTP headers in your PHP web application. By understanding the syntax and usage of the function, you can easily set HTTP headers in your PHP scripts. We hope this article has been informative and useful in understanding the header() function in PHP.