Output buffering question

lokem

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone knows what will happen if I have an ob_start() function call w/o calling ob_end_flush().

I have a page which calls ob_start() but it then redirects to another page if there is an error. Is there a need to place the ob_end_flush() call in the error page?

Thanks.

AstroTeg

I could be wrong, but I think if you just call it, PHP will buffer the output and hold onto it until the script finishes (unless you tell it otherwise). Then at the end of the script, it will dump the output to the browser (it will do some header validation and put everything in the right order before sending).

lokem

Originally posted by AstroTeg
I could be wrong, but I think if you just call it, PHP will buffer the output and hold onto it until the script finishes (unless you tell it otherwise). Then at the end of the script, it will dump the output to the browser (it will do some header validation and put everything in the right order before sending).

Actually, that's what I thought too. Can't find any solid info on that though. Thanks for the info BTW.

rpanning

Just did a quick scan of the manual and found this line.

The function will be called when ob_end_flush() is called, or when the output buffer is flushed to the browser at the end of the request.

Notice the italisized part. I think it's trying to say it will be flushed at the end of the scripts execution. I agree, no hard documentation on what happens.

lokem

Originally posted by rpanning
Just did a quick scan of the manual and found this line.

Notice the italisized part. I think it's trying to say it will be flushed at the end of the scripts execution. I agree, no hard documentation on what happens.

Thanks for pointing that out. I think it's good to have while(@ob_end_flush()) at the end of the end page...