[RESOLVED] ./ path

[phpjaco]

Hello

I know this is a stupid question but what does the path ./ mean? I have started at a new company and see they use this path writing alot?

for example:
require('./include_file.php');

does this refer to the root? and if so wouldn't it be better to use a relative path to the root such as ../docs?

Thank you
Jaco

[NogDog]

"." refers to the current working directory, so require('./include_file.php'); is requiring the file "include_file.php" from the current directory. In most cases this would be redundant, but perhaps would help make sure the right file is included if there is another file with the same name somewhere in the include_path and if "." is not the first thing in that include_path setting.

[phpjaco]

thank you, i guess that makes sense. since there is other folders with the same directory structure but does seem a bit redundant because using

require 'include_file.php';

would only apply to that folder right? I mean there is no way it can go a directory up? It just seems a bit redundant?

But its cool at least I understand it now.

Thanx

[NogDog]

From the [man]include[/man] page (my italics):

Files for including are first looked for in each include_path entry relative to the current working directory, and then in the directory of current script....If filename begins with ./ or ../, it is looked only in the current working directory.

Therefore, using the "./" relative path in your script will ensure that the file is included from the current directory, rather than the first file of the same name found in the include path.