3 Ways to Specify a File Location for PHP Scripts

When the customization section of a PHP script asks for a file location, it may allow you to specify the file name by itself, the location relative to the location of the PHP script, and/or the location relative to document root.

Here are the 3 types of file name values that may be specified:

1. File name only: When only the file name is specified, then the file is written in the same directory with the PHP script.

   Example:

   $FileName = "file.csv";
   

2. File location relative to the PHP script's location: The first character will not be a slash, but there will be a slash somewhere in the value.

   Examples:

   $FileName = "./subdir/file.csv";
   $FileName = "subdir/file.csv";
   

   Both of those specify the same location. With the first version, the one beginning with ./, the dot represents the current directory and the slash introduces the subdirectory. The second version assumes the subdirectory is being introduced from the current directory.

   Thus, the same location specified in two different ways.

3. File location relative to the document root: The first character will always be a slash.

   Example:

   $FileName = "/subdir/file.csv";
   

   When a location relative to the document root is provided, the PHP script is likely to prepend the document root automatically. If it does not, you may need to prepend the document root yourself.

   Example:

   $FileName = "{$_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']}/subdir/file.csv";
   

   The $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] variable provides the document root for the $FileName variable, whatever the document root might be.

   If the PHP script instructions do not state whether or not you need to provide the document root information, assume you do not unless error messages convince you otherwise.

If there are no instructions regarding how to specify location, try one of the above 3, the one you prefer, and give it a try.

Will Bontrager