Using root-relative paths for PHP includes...

[Under S.]

Hi,

I'm an average HTML programmer who knows just enough about PHP to use includes.

I have a simple website layout that uses PHP includes like this :

<?php include ('../_header.php'); ?>

<?php include ('content.php'); ?>
<?php include ('../_footer.php'); ?>

Can't use root-relative paths in includes because, as you pros already know, root-relative on the server means something completely different.

Is there a quick and easy way for me to remedy this, perhaps with an added line in either the header or htaccess file? The convenience of being able to move files outside of DW without having to worry about links like these is worth the initial bother, I find.

Thanks!

[Paul-M · Accepted solution]

Try this:

include($_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'].'somefile.php')

[Under S.]

Energize  wrote

Try this:

include($_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'].'somefile.php')

You just changed my life.

So I just repeat this everywhere I use a root-relative path?

Works for me, thanks!

[Paul-M]

I don't know what your set up is, but yes is probably the short answer. If you need different output for your local testing server for example you might want to use if / else:

<?php

$dev = array('localhost', '127.0.0.1');

//Check If local testing server before outputting stuff

if(in_array($_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'], $dev))  {

        // DO SOMETHING IF LOCALHOST DETECTED

}else {

        // DO SOMETHING ELSE IF NOT LOCALHOST

    }

?>

[wnedoe]

SEVERE PROBLEM with this solution:  This file connection is not recognized anymore by DW. 
So the included file will not appear as tab beside the source code tab anymore.  :-((