PHP gzinflate() Function: Usage and Examples

Use gzinflate() when you need to decompresses a raw DEFLATE string in a PHP application. The examples below show the actual operation and its limitations.

What Is gzinflate() in PHP?

Decompresses a raw DEFLATE string. The exact signature supported by your installation depends on its PHP version and enabled extensions.

Its syntax is:

gzinflate(string $data, int $max_length = ...): string|false

Parameters and return value: The parameter types, optional arguments, references, and return type are shown in the signature above. Optional parameters are marked with an ellipsis in this reference signature.

Example 1: Basic Usage

<?php

echo gzinflate(gzdeflate("Hello"));

Output:

Hello

Example 2: Different Input or Behavior

<?php

echo gzinflate(gzdeflate("Report"));

Output:

Report

Practical Example: Applying the Function

<?php

$original = "Archive data"; $compressed = gzdeflate($original); $restored = gzinflate($compressed); echo $restored === $original ? "Restored" : "Mismatch";

Output:

Restored

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

Do not feed arbitrary untrusted compressed blobs without decompression-size limits.

Comparison With Related Functions

Common Beginner Mistakes

Key Takeaways

• Decompresses a raw DEFLATE string.
• Do not feed arbitrary untrusted compressed blobs without decompression-size limits.
• gzuncompress() expects zlib-wrapped data, not raw DEFLATE.

Use gzinflate() for the specific operation demonstrated above. Check its prerequisites and handle failure conditions before using it with production data.