How to append a path to PHP's include_path in .htaccess

Question

Currently on my site I\'m using statements like:

include \'head.php\';
include \'../head.php\';
include \'../../head.php\';

depending on how ma

Answer 1

If you can't edit the php.ini file itself, you could add

set_include_path(get_include_path() . PATH_SEPARATOR . $path_to_add);

before your include statements.

However if you find yourself having include or require troubles, it is probably a code smell. The best solution would be a good object-oriented design with a good __autoload function.

Answer 2

Create in the sub-sub-directories a file .htaccess with the contents

php_value include_path '../../includes'

or whatever include_path is right for that directory.

Advantages:

1. No ugly hack with multiple includes with different depth. Just include 'head.php'.
2. No dependency on editing php.ini.
3. No need to use set_include_path() before including.
4. No dependency on including constants like include INCLUDE_PATH . 'head.php'.

Price to pay:

You litter your sub-sub-directories each with a file .htaccess.