PHP (wordpress): why do I need dirname(FILE) to use relative paths?

Asked Jan 03 '20 at 14:37

Active Jan 03 '20 at 14:37

Viewed 69 times

If I include files with

include('test.php');

it works, but when I try to include it using relative paths

include('./test.php');

It doesn't, as neither it does if I try to include files from parent folders

include('../test.php'); (once moved the file)

I am on Windows, so I tested just in case

include('.\test.php');

include('.\\test.php');

But got the same failed result (failed to open stream: No such file or directory)

*This is executing this within a wordpress plugin

Then this works if using

include(dirname(__FILE__) . './test.php');

Why? What's the reasoning?

asked Jan 03 '20 at 14:37

GWorking

When you use a ./test.php it's assuming you meant the front-end controller, which is your original index.php, not the file which are are currently in. – Farkie Jan 03 '20 at 14:40
as an alternative you could use `__DIR__ . '/test.php'` – Farkie Jan 03 '20 at 14:40
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12954578/php-require-relative-path-error – koalaok Jan 03 '20 at 14:41
Thanks to both, now it's clear :) – GWorking Jan 03 '20 at 14:42

PHP (wordpress): why do I need dirname(__FILE__) to use relative paths?