PHP Error Handling Setting Configuration Variables

PHP Error Handling

Setting Configuration Variables

Problem

You want to change the value of a PHP configuration setting.

Solution

Use ini_set():

       // add a directory to the include path

       ini_set('include_path', ini_get('include_path') . ':/home/fezzik/php');

Discussion

Configuration variables are not permanently changed by ini_set(). The new value lasts only for the duration of the request in which ini_set() is called. To make a persistent modification, alter the values stored in the php.ini file.

It isn’t meaningful to alter certain variables, such as asp_tags, because by the time you call ini_set() to modify the setting, it’s too late to change the behavior the setting affects. If a variable can’t be changed, ini_set() returns false.

However, it is useful to alter configuration variables in certain pages. For example, if you’re running a script from the command line, set html_errors to off.

To reset a variable back to its original setting, use ini_restore():

       ini_restore('sendmail_from'); // go back to the default value