PHP Download File

PHP enables you to download file easily using built-in readfile() function. The readfile() function reads a file and writes it to the output buffer. PHP readfile() function

Syntax


int readfile ( string $filename [, bool $use_include_path = false [, resource $context ]] )
  • $filename: represents the file name
  • $use_include_path: it is the optional parameter. It is by default false. You can set it to true to the search the file in the included_path.
  • $context: represents the context stream resource.
  • int: it returns the number of bytes read from the file.

    • PHP Download File Example: Text File

    File: download1.php

    PHP Example

    
<?php  
$file_url = 'http://www.javatpoint.com/f.txt';  
header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');  
header("Content-Transfer-Encoding: utf-8");   
header("Content-disposition: attachment; filename="" . basename($file_url) . """);   
readfile($file_url);  
?>

    PHP Download File Example: Binary File


    File: download2.php

    PHP Example

    
<?php  
$file_url = 'http://www.myremoteserver.com/file.exe';  
header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');  
header("Content-Transfer-Encoding: Binary");   
header("Content-disposition: attachment; filename="" . basename($file_url) . """);   
readfile($file_url);      
?>