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# parse_ini_file

(PHP 4 )

parse_ini_file -- Parse a configuration file

## Description

array parse_ini_file ( string filename [, bool process_sections])

parse_ini_file() loads in the ini file specified in `filename`, and returns the settings in it in an associative array. By setting the last `process_sections` parameter to `TRUE`, you get a multidimensional array, with the section names and settings included. The default for `process_sections` is `FALSE`

> Note: This function has nothing to do with the `php.ini` file. It is already processed, the time you run your script. This function can be used to read in your own application's configuration files.

> Note: If a value in the ini file contains any non-alphanumeric characters it needs to be enclosed in double-quotes (").

> Note: Since PHP 4.2.1 this function is also affected by safe_mode and open_basedir.

The structure of the ini file is similar to that of the `php.ini`'s.

Warning
If the ini file you are trying to parse is malformed, PHP will exit.

Example 1. Contents of sample.ini
    ; This is a sample configuration file
    ; Comments start with ';', as in php.ini

    [first_section]
    one = 1
    five = 5

    [second_section]
    path = /usr/local/bin
    URL = "http://www.example.com/~username"

Example 2. parse_ini_file() example
    <?php

    // Parse without sections
    $ini_array = parse_ini_file("sample.ini");
    print_r($ini_array);

    // Parse with sections
    $ini_array = parse_ini_file("sample.ini", TRUE);
    print_r($ini_array);

    ?>

Would produce:

    Array
    (
        [one] => 1
        [five] => 5
        [path] => /usr/local/bin
        [URL] => http://www.example.com/~username
    )
    Array
    (
        [first_section] => Array
            (
                [one] => 1
                [five] => 5
            )

        [second_section] => Array
            (
                [path] => /usr/local/bin
                [URL] => http://www.example.com/~username
            )

    )

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