exit() after header()

procoder

header('Location: bla.com');
exit();

Whats the reason behind people putting exit() after header, I see it useless as a header redirecting someone will redirect them to a different page overall.

Possible reason I could see is that, while redirecting, php stilll continues with the code?

Thanks for any possible answers

cafrow

the reason you use Exit() is to make sure that the code STOPS at that point, I use it for my Security codes all the time, basicly, compare 2 passwords, they do not match up, then Exit code and send them elsewhere cause they have no bussiness running the rest of the code. 😃

procoder

I know that, doesnt header stop the code as soon as it redirects, in result , not needing exit()?

Weedpacket

Originally posted by procoder
I know that, doesnt header stop the code as soon as it redirects, in result , not needing exit()?

Just calling header() doesn't stop the script (you might want to insert other headers, after all).

If you send the location: header and continue processing you could (depending on some things) end up putting inappropriate HTML in the content of the redirection response. Anyone with any ability would be able to see that content if they wanted.

Besides, leaving a script running when it's no longer necessary is just plain tacky.