[SOLVED] why use false !== $file = readdir($dir) instead of just $file = readdir($dir)

[jaikar]

hello there,

 

in many articles, i read that its recommended to use while(false !== $file = readdir($dir)) instead of just $file = readdir($dir). while the later lists the file already, why need to compare with false... what is the actual concept in using while(false !== $file = readdir($dir) ..

 

thankyou !

 

 

[Adam]

From the manual...

 

This function may return Boolean FALSE, but may also return a non-Boolean value which evaluates to FALSE, such as 0 or "". Please read the section on Booleans for more information. Use the === operator for testing the return value of this function.

[jaikar]

ok thanks !!..

 

also in another article i read that, "while(false !== $file = readdir($dir)" is recommended because, sometimes when zero "0" is the filename, then, using the normal while($file = readdir...) wont work and will truncate the loop.... 

[Adam]

Well the manual actually recommends:

 

while (false !== ($file = readdir($handle))) {

 

Personally I'd just go with that.