Why do I need `fclose` after writing to a file in PHP?

Question

Why do I need to finish by using the fclose($handle) function after writing to a file using php? Doesn\'t the program automatically do this when it ends?

Answer 1

Yes, PHP normally closes the file before exiting. But you should always close it manually:

1- It's a good programming practice

2- PHP can exit unexpectedly (for example, an uncaught exception). This may leave the file with something in the queue to be written, or with a lock in it.