PHP Cookbook

8.22. Reading Configuration Variables

Problem

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

Solution

Use ini_get( ) :

// find out the include path:
$include_path = ini_get('include_path');

Discussion

To get all configuration variable values in one step, call ini_get_all( ) . It returns the variables in an associative array, and each array element is itself an associative array. The second array has three elements: a global value for the setting, a local value, and an access code:

// put all configuration variables in an associative array
$vars = ini_get_all( );
print_r($vars['include_path']);
Array
               (
                   [global_value] => .:/usr/local/lib/php/
                   [local_value] => .:/usr/local/lib/php/
                   [access] => 7
               )

The global_value is the value set from the php.ini file; the local_value is adjusted to account for any changes made in the web server’s configuration file, any relevant .htaccess files, and the current script. The value of access is a numeric constant representing the places where this value can be altered. Table 8-3 explains the values for access. Note that the name access is a little misleading in this respect, as the setting’s value can always be checked, but not adjusted.

Table 8-3. Access values

Value	PHP constant	Meaning
1	PHP_INI_USER	Any script, using ini_set( )
2	PHP_INI_PERDIR	Directory level, using .htaccess
4	PHP_INI_SYSTEM	System level, using php.ini or httpd.conf
7	PHP_INI_ALL	Everywhere: scripts, directories, and the system

A value ...