hi, 

i have discovered a bug relating to the scope of variables surrounding and within include
files. 

when i was using a http path for an include command, the include file could only see
variables instantiated within the include file. all variables instantiated within the
include could not be seen by the page calling the include.

however this was not the case when i used a relative path or absolute path using the file
system. for example:

$rootFile = "/accounts/www73038/www/www.art-co-op.net/html";
$rootDir = "http://shell9.vhosting.com/www73038";

include(../../includes/inc_file); //-- works
include($rootFile. "/includes/inc_file); //-- works
include($rootHttp. "/includes/inc_file); //-- fails

i'm not sure whether this is by design (i'm new to php & in the process of reforming
my evil microsoft ways). and i could not find mention of it in the documentation. 

if you would like to find more information regarding my server and environment:
http://shell9.vhosting.com/www73038/phpinfo.php

thank you,

tim neill.

due to the missing 2nd quote i guess that you do not
include 

  "/includes/inc_file

but some php file with extension .php?

and shell9.vhosting.com is most likely configured
to parse and execute .php files?

so it deliveres 
only the *results* of executing the files in a
subrequest and not the verabtim content of the
requested files

try to rename your include files to something
like .txt or .inc or whatever your server will
deliver 'as is' and everything will work fine

nope the missing quote is not it - that is simply a typo on my behalf.

also the summary should read:
include() http vs file system - variable scope

but i still believe your files are parsed by the server
*before* delivery ... or can you prove the opposite?

ok i created a directory on my server called test:

it contains 4 files:
test.php
test_relative.php
test_abs_file.php
test_abs_http.php
readme.txt (this)

this url demonstrates:
http://shell9.vhosting.com/www73038/test/test.php

here is the source code

/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
test.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
<?php

//-- test.php

$rootHttp = "http://shell9.vhosting.com/www73038";
$rootFile = "/accounts/www73038/www/www.art-co-op.net/";

//-- these vars shall be called by the include files:
$top_relative = 1;
$top_abs_file = 1;
$top_abs_http = 1;

//-- relative path
include("test_relative.php");

//-- absolute path - using file system
include($rootFile . "/html/test/test_abs_file.php");

//-- absolute path - using http
include($rootHttp . "/test/test_abs_http.php");

echo("<br>\$inc_relative: $inc_relative");
echo("<br>\$inc_abs_file: $inc_abs_file");
echo("<br>\$inc_abs_http: $inc_abs_http");

?>

/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
test_relative.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
<?php

//-- test_relative.php

$inc_relative = 1;

echo("<br>\$top_relative: $top_relative");

?>

/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
test_abs_file.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
<?php

//-- test_abs_file.php

$inc_abs_file = 1;

echo("<br>\$top_abs_file: $top_abs_file");

?>

/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
test_abs_http.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
<?php

//-- test_abs_http.php

$inc_abs_http = 1;

echo("<br>\$top_abs_http: $top_abs_http");

?>

please see the results for yourself on the above mentioned page. the variables are lost on the http.

it may simply be the hosting provider i have - the phpinfo() command may be seen:
http://shell9.vhosting.com/www73038/phpinfo.php

if i can help in any way - by altering the above mentioned files - to test other scenarios, please notify me and i'd be happy. if you would like my source i can zip it for you and send it over.

thanks very much,

tim.

Change the extention of the file 'include($rootHttp . "/test/test_abs_http.php");' to .txt, and you'll see it works fine.

Derick