fopen - Where to close a file handle opened at the beginning of a PHP script? -

i have php file in which, on top create file handle using fopen(). then file has couple of classes, in functions of write stuff text file. , ultimately, in end, i.e. when done writing stuff file, have close file handle using fclose().

the flow of control such that, in following pseudo-code, function a_b() of class a called last of in php script. so, naturally, in end of body of a_b(), decided write fclose($filehandle);.

but got error: notice: undefined variable: filehandle in c:\xampp\htdocs\tests\test.php on line 15

the question why? should write statement fclose($filehandle)? should write @ end of file?

<?php   $filehandle = fopen($pathtofilehandle, "a");  class {   function a_a() {     ...     fwrite($filehandle, "blahblahblah");   }    function a_b() {     ...     fwrite($filehandle, "whatever");     ...     fclose($filehandle);   } }  class l {   function l_a() {     ...     fwrite($filehandle, "some text");     ...   } }  ?> 

having inline code (i.e. code rather code defines invoked later) mixed in same file, is considered bad thing - not least because gives rise kind of problem describe here.

you don't need explicitly close file handle - php automatically when script exits.

if want more close file, alternative explicitly invoking close in thread of execution ask php call function when script finishes executing (note callback can object - i.e. associated data).

as renee points out, issue arises scope. bad design split file operations across 2 different classes , procedural side effect. use single class define file operations (open, close, read, write). pass reference class other classes supply or require data to/from file.