stream_get_contents

(PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8)

stream_get_contentsReads remainder of a stream into a string

Description

stream_get_contents(resource $stream, ?int $length = null, int $offset = -1): string|false

Identical to file_get_contents(), except that stream_get_contents() operates on an already open stream resource and returns the remaining contents in a string, up to length bytes and starting at the specified offset.

Parameters

stream (resource)

A stream resource (e.g. returned from fopen())

length (int)

The maximum bytes to read. Defaults to null (read all the remaining buffer).

offset (int)

Seek to the specified offset before reading. If this number is negative, no seeking will occur and reading will start from the current position.

Return Values

Returns a string or false on failure.

Changelog

Version Description
8.0.0 length is now nullable.

Examples

Example #1 stream_get_contents() example

<?php

if ($stream = fopen('http://www.example.com', 'r')) {
// print all the page starting at the offset 10
echo stream_get_contents($stream, -1, 10);

fclose($stream);
}


if (
$stream = fopen('http://www.example.net', 'r')) {
// print the first 5 bytes
echo stream_get_contents($stream, 5);

fclose($stream);
}

?>

Notes

Note: This function is binary-safe.

Note:

When specifying a length value other than null, this function will immediately allocate an internal buffer of that size even if the actual contents are significantly shorter.

See Also

  • fgets() - Gets line from file pointer
  • fread() - Binary-safe file read
  • fpassthru() - Output all remaining data on a file pointer

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User Contributed Notes 5 notes

up
10
clarck dot smith at gmail dot com
12 years ago
In that case when stream_get_contents/fread/fgets or other stream reading functions block indefinitely your script because they don't reached the limit of bytes to read use the socket_get_meta_data function to figure out the number of the bytes to read. It returns an array that contains a key named 'unread_bytes' and then pass that number to your favourite stream reading functions second parameter to read from the stream.

Maybe a good workaround to use the stream_select function, and set the socket to non-blocking mode with the use of stream_set_blocking($stream, 0). In this case the socket reading functions work properly.

Cheers, Ervin
up
11
vasiliy at hotger dot com
11 years ago
It is important to know that stream_get_contents behaves differently with different versions of PHP. Consider the following

<?php

$handle
= fopen('file', 'w+'); // truncate + attempt to create
fwrite($handle, '12345'); // file position > 0
rewind($handle); // position = 0
$content = stream_get_contents($handle); // file position = 0 in PHP 5.1.6, file position > 0 in PHP 5.2.17!
fwrite($handle, '6789');
fclose($handle);

/**
*
* 'file' content
*
* PHP 5.1.6:
* 67895
*
* PHP 5.2.17:
* 123456789
*
*/
?>

As a result, stream_get_contents() affects file position in 5.1, and do not affect file position in 5.2 or better.
up
1
m rahman
13 years ago
When omitting the parameter $maxlength, any received bytes are stacked up until the underlying stream is not readable anymore, the the function returns that stack in one piece.
up
0
Mike Shiyan
7 years ago
stream_get_contents() can be used instead of fread() even with local files.
up
-12
divinity76+nospam at gmail dot com
8 years ago
/*
* problem: stream_get_contents blocks / is very slow.
* I have tried
* 1: stream_set_blocking, doesn't make a difference.
* 2: stream_get_meta_data['unread_bytes'] = ITS BUGGED, ALWAYS SAYS 0.
* 3: feof(): ALSO EFFING BLOCKING
* 4: my_stream_get_contents hack... kinda working! :D
*/
function my_stream_get_contents ($handle, $timeout_seconds = 0.5)
{
    $ret = "";
    // feof ALSO BLOCKS:
    // while(!feof($handle)){$ret.=stream_get_contents($handle,1);}
    while (true) {
        $starttime = microtime(true);
        $new = stream_get_contents($handle, 1);
        $endtime = microtime(true);
        if (is_string($new) && strlen($new) >= 1) {
            $ret .= $new;
        }
        $time_used = $endtime - $starttime;
        // var_dump('time_used:',$time_used);
        if (($time_used >= $timeout_seconds) || ! is_string($new) ||
                 (is_string($new) && strlen($new) < 1)) {
            break;
        }
    }
    return $ret;
}
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