Question

Is it possible to include a php file without including its contents? I just want to access the functions and variables in that file without displaying any content. I tried this

<?
    ob_start();
    include('$file');
    ob_end_clean();
?>

But this will hide only contents in php tag. I want to know how to hide others as well.

Answer 1

While I totally agree with Peter’s answer

I just tried this because I’ve never tried it before..

File toinclude.php:

<p>Loads of text</p>
<?php
    function my_test()
    {
        echo 'Hello';
    }
?>
<a href="doesntmatterwhere.php">Ooh a link</a>

File includer.php:

<?php
    ob_start();
    include('toinclude.php');
    ob_end_clean();
    my_test();
?>

And it does work!

Output:

Hello