# PHP file_put_contents() Function

Complete PHP Filesystem Reference

## Definition and Usage

The file_put_contents() writes a string to a file.

This function follows these rules when accessing a file:

1. If FILE_USE_INCLUDE_PATH is set, check the include path for a copy of *filename*
2. Create the file if it does not exist
3. Open the file
4. Lock the file if LOCK_EX is set
5. If FILE_APPEND is set, move to the end of the file. Otherwise, clear the file content
6. Write the data into the file
7. Close the file and release any locks

This function returns the number of character written into the file on success, or FALSE on failure.

## Syntax

file_put_contents(file,data,mode,context)

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
file | Required. Specifies the file to write to. If the file does not exist, this function will create one
data | Required. The data to write to the file. Can be a string, an array or a data stream

mode

Optional. Specifies how to open/write to the file. Possible values:

- FILE_USE_INCLUDE_PATH
- FILE_APPEND
- LOCK_EX

context | Optional. Specifies the context of the file handle. Context is a set of options that can modify the behavior of a stream.

## Tips and Notes

Note: Use FILE_APPEND to avoid deleting the existing content of the file.

## Example

<?php
echo file_put_contents("test.txt","Hello World. Testing!");
?>

The output of the code above will be:

21

Complete PHP Filesystem Reference

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