# PHP readfile() Function

Complete PHP Filesystem Reference

## Definition and Usage

The readfile() function reads a file and writes it to the output buffer.

This function returns the number of bytes read on success, or FALSE and an error on failure. You can hide the error output by adding an '@' in front of the function name.

## Syntax

readfile(filename,include_path,context)

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
filename | Required. Specifies the file to read
include_path | Optional. Set this parameter to '1' if you want to search for the file in the include_path (in php.ini) as well
context | Optional. Specifies the context of the file handle. Context is a set of options that can modify the behavior of a stream

## Tips and Notes

Tip: You can use a URL as a filename with this function if the fopen wrappers have been enabled in the php.ini file.

## Example

<?php
echo readfile("test.txt");
?>

The output of the code above will be:

There are two lines in this file.
This is the last line.
57

Complete PHP Filesystem Reference

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