Posted by Darko on 05/28/07 16:14

On May 28, 6:03 pm, Michael <MichaelDMcDonn...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Since the include function is called from within a PHP script, why
> does the included file have to identify itself as a PHP again by
> enclosing its code in <?php> ... <?>
>
> One would assume that the PHP interpreter works like any other, that
> is, it first expands all the include files, and then parses the
> resulting text. Can anyone help with an explanation?
>
> Thanks,
> M. McDonnell

It's not supposed to be bracketed by <?php> and <?>, but by <?php and ?
>. That's not necessary, though. You have to put those symbols into
your require-d file if you want it to be understood like php code, but
if you don't, it will be understood as raw output. Just like any other
php file:
<?php
if ( $x ) {
?>
some output here
some output here
some output here
<?php
} else {
?>
some other output here
some other output here
some other output here
<?php

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