PHP fgetc() Function: Usage and Examples

Reads a single byte from a file stream.

What Is fgetc() in PHP?

Reads a single byte from a file stream.

Its syntax is:

fgetc(resource $stream): string|false

Parameters:

• $stream — Accepted as resource; required argument.

Return type: string|false. Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".

Availability: Requires an open readable stream.

Example 1: Basic Usage

<?php

$stream = fopen("php://memory", "r+"); fwrite($stream, "AB"); rewind($stream); echo fgetc($stream); fclose($stream);

Output:

A

Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".

Example 2: A Different Input

<?php

$stream = fopen("php://memory", "r+"); fwrite($stream, "Z"); rewind($stream); fgetc($stream); var_dump(fgetc($stream)); fclose($stream);

Output:

bool(false)

Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".

Practical Example: Applying It in a Program

<?php

$stream = fopen("php://memory", "r+"); fwrite($stream, "ABC"); rewind($stream); while (($character = fgetc($stream)) !== false) { echo "[" . $character . "]"; } fclose($stream);

Output:

[A][B][C]

Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

• Key behavior: Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".
• Environment: Requires an open readable stream.

Comparison With Related Functions

Common Beginner Mistakes

Key Takeaways

• Reads a single byte from a file stream.
• Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".
• Requires an open readable stream.

Summary: Reads bytes rather than UTF-8 characters. Test strictly against false to distinguish EOF from the string "0".