IF file is !empty ELSE

Question

So, if i have a file that when its empty it requires a specific function, but if the file is NOT empty it will proceed to show (else) something else. This is currently the format I am using. I have tired several different manners and variations of doing so (from PHP Manual examples to StackOverFlow Q/A). What it is doing is showing me the else not the if, since the file is actually empty...

<?
$file = 'config/config2.php';

if(!empty($file))
{
some code here!
}
else
{
some other code here!
}
?>

the file is empty (filesize() =0) or the STRING $file is empty ?? — , Sep 05 '13 at 21:05
`$file` is just a string. You're not reading any files in this code. — Mark Amery, Sep 05 '13 at 21:06
Your code is asking if the variable `$file` has a value or not, essentially. It is jumping to the `else` because `$file` is not empty, it has a value of `config/config2.php` — , Sep 05 '13 at 21:07
So i should change it to ` $file = 'config/config2.php` and add `filesize($file)` ? — j.otero, Sep 05 '13 at 21:08
So i did `if(filesize($file)!=0)` and it worked like a charm! — j.otero, Sep 05 '13 at 21:10
Great stuff. Don't forget to mark the answer as correct when you can! Also, I'm not really sure why people are downvoting your question. It's clear, you've shown your code and some effort to get it working. Just because it's a simple thing for some people, it doesn't mean it's deserving of a downvote. — , Sep 05 '13 at 21:12
@j.otero `if(!empty` are usually reserved for POST/GET variables in forms. — Funk Forty Niner, Sep 05 '13 at 21:19

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:07

7

<?
$file = 'config/config2.php';

if(filesize($file)!=0)// NB:an empty 'looking' file could have a file size above 0
{
some code here!
}
else
{
some other code here!
}
?>

answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:07

*"NB:an empty 'looking' file could have a file size above 0"* - for example, a BOM. – Funk Forty Niner Sep 05 '13 at 21:19

score -1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:21

-1

The problem seems to be that you are not actually loading the file before you check if it is empty.

You are only setting the variable $file to the string 'config/config2.php' not actually loading the file.

Before running your if statement do this:

$file = file_get_contents('config/config2.php');

or look into this: http://php.net/manual/en/function.fopen.php

answered Sep 05 '13 at 21:21

bobkingof12vs

660
5
22

dont load a whole file in to memory just to check if it is empty – Sep 05 '13 at 21:28
I was under an assumption that the file was intended to be used – bobkingof12vs Sep 06 '13 at 14:07

IF file is !empty ELSE

2 Answers2