13.14. Remote FilesThe fopen( ) function allows you to manipulate any files for which you have permission. However, its usefulness is only just beginning, because you can specify remote files as well as local fileseven files stored on HTTP and FTP servers. PHP automatically opens a HTTP/FTP connection for you, returning the file handle as usual. For all intents and purposes, a file handle returned from a remote file is good for all the same uses as a local file handle. This example displays the Slashdot web site through your browser: $slash = fopen("http://www.slashdot.org", "r"); $site = fread($slash, 200000); fclose($slash); print $site; The r mode is specified because web servers do not allow writing through HTTP (without WebDAV), and some will even deny access for reading if you are an anonymous visitor, as PHP normally is.
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