[RESOLVED] Variable Scope

Monar

I am having trouble figuring out some variable scoping.

I have an include file, and I want to be able to access a variable in this include file that I define just before I include the file.

For example, the include looks like:
<?php
$headerExclude = "Main";
include("header.php");
?>
This happens to work just fine. The variable headerExclude is available within the include file. However if, I do this:
<?php
$headerExclude = "Main";
include("http://www.whateversite.com/header.php");
?>
The variable headerExclude is not available.

I have also tried to just get the URL just inside the file header.php, but it always returns the URL of header.php and not the file that is including header.php. If anyone knows how to get the calling URL from within header.php, I may be able to solve my problems with that as well.

Thanks
Mona

Installer

About include() with a remote file:

This is not strictly speaking the same thing as including the file and having it inherit the parent file's variable scope; the script is actually being run on the remote server and the result is then being included into the local script.

laserlight

If you use an absolute URL, the fopen_wrapper is used, so the PHP script is parsed from the remote server, and then the contents returned to the local script. As such, the variables in local scope are never seen in the remote script.

Basically, if you want $headerExclude in header.php, dont use an absolute URI.

Monar

I am trying to keep my header consistent across two different web sites that are connected to each other. I have no way of including the header in one particular place without using an absolute URL.

Is there another way to get this variable to the header.php or is there a way inside header.php to know it's parent?

laserlight

One way that might work is to use incoming variables, e.g.

<?php
$headerExclude = "Main";
include "http://www.example.com/header.php?headerExclude=$headerExclude";
?>

Then header.php checks $_GET['headerExclude'].

Installer

Which, by the way, is demonstrated in the example right after the quote in the link I posted.

Monar

Thank you. That worked great and the thing is that I didn't have to use $_GET['headerExclude'] in header.php.

Also, sorry about missing the example in the post. I was skimming the posts as I was running out the door to a meeting.

Thanks again.
Mona