file function question (easy)

[Spud_Nic]

When using file() to get the contents of a file into an array, so you have to use fopen in the line before to open the file, and then fclose in after using file()?

I was looking at the manual and cannot see an example of anyone doing this, and I always thought file() worked without having to open and close the same file.

Reason I'm asking is that someone I know who is a very experienced PHP Programmer is using the fopen/fclose method, so wondering is there is any merit in doing that?

[leatherback]

Hi,

just from my mind I'd say that file() reads the file into memory, whereas fopen() would just open a connection to the file, giving you the open to read, write, and move hrough the file.

J.

But probably the manual will have some details under [man]file[/man] and [man]fopen[/man]