Hi everyone!
I'm currently working on a PHP script and I'm encountering some difficulties in including external PHP files in my code. I have tried a few different approaches, but none seem to work properly. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
Here's a bit more context for you: I have a main PHP script that consists of several functions and classes. Now, I want to use some code that I have written in a separate PHP file. The file I want to include is located in the same directory as my main script.
I have tried using the include() and require() functions, but it seems like the code from the external file is not being executed or recognized. I have also made sure that the file paths are correct.
Is there a specific syntax or method that I should be using to include external PHP files? Any insights, suggestions, or examples would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your help!

Hey everyone,
Including external PHP files can sometimes be a bit tricky, but I've found a solution that has worked for me in the past. Here's what I suggest based on my personal experience:
Instead of using the include() or require() functions, you could try using the include_once() or require_once() functions. These functions will include the external PHP file only once, even if you try to include it multiple times in your script.
Here's an example of how you can use the include_once() function:
Just like before, make sure to replace `'path/to/external/file.php'` with the actual relative path to your external PHP file.
In my own experience, I found that using the _once() functions helped avoid issues related to redeclaration of functions or classes from the external file. This can be especially useful if you're working with large projects where multiple files need to be included.
If you're still having trouble, you can also try using an absolute path instead of a relative path to the external file. For example:
This will ensure that the file is included using an absolute path, regardless of the current working directory.
I hope this approach helps you in including external PHP files successfully. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask. Good luck with your project!