How does the use of readfile() differ from fopen() when working with Bytestreams in PHP?

When working with Bytestreams in PHP, the use of readfile() simplifies the process of reading and outputting the contents of a file to the browser compared to using fopen(). readfile() handles the opening, reading, and outputting of the file in a single function call, making it more convenient for Bytestream operations. fopen() requires separate calls to open the file, read its contents, and output them, which can be more cumbersome. 

// Using readfile() to output the contents of a file to the browser
$file = 'example.txt';
readfile($file);

Keywords

readfile fopen Bytestreams PHP differences

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