PHP ob_start() Function: Everything You Need to Know

As a PHP developer, you may need to buffer your output to modify it before sending it to the client. The ob_start() function is a built-in function in PHP that allows you to start output buffering. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the ob_start() function and its usage.

What is the ob_start() Function?

The ob_start() function is a PHP built-in function that allows you to start output buffering.

How to Use the ob_start() Function

Using the ob_start() function is straightforward. Here is the syntax of the function:

ob_start(callback $output_callback = null, int $chunk_size = 0, int $flags = PHP_OUTPUT_HANDLER_STDFLAGS);

Here is an example of how to use the ob_start() function to start output buffering:

<?php

ob_start();
echo "This will be buffered";
$output = ob_get_clean();

In this example, we use the ob_start() function to start output buffering, use the echo statement to output a message, and then use the ob_get_clean() function to get the contents of the output buffer and assign it to the $output variable.

Conclusion

The ob_start() function is a useful tool for buffering your output in your PHP web application. By understanding the syntax and usage of the function, you can easily start output buffering and modify your output before sending it to the client. We hope this article has been informative and useful in understanding the ob_start() function in PHP.