include_path : is there an elegant solution?

[Zearin]

I'm starting a new website project, and I'm following a naming convention that is strictly adhered to.  My goal is to configure [tt]include_path[/tt] so that I can simply type a filename and it will be included. 

The scheme is this:
[list]
[*]the website root has a folder named [tt]/includes[/tt]
[*]each subdirectory has its own folder named [tt]/includes[/tt]
[/list]

[b]Directory Structure[/b]
[pre]
[b]+ site_root[/b]
    index.php
   
    [b]+ includes[/b]
          header.php
          footer.php

    [b]+ sub_dir[/b]
          index.php

          [b]+ includes[/b]
              header.php
              footer.php
   
[/pre]

[b]Desired Functionality[/b]
Let's say I type [tt]http://www.site_root.com/sub_dir/[/tt] into my browser...

[list]
[*][tt]/sub_dir/index.php[/tt] begins to load
[*]it wants to include [tt]header.php[/tt] from [tt]/sub_dir/includes[/tt]
[*]the included file ([tt]/sub_dir/includes/header.php[/tt] in turn wants to include the [tt]header.php[/tt] from [tt]site_root/includes[/tt]
[/list]

The goal of the scheme is to have a root header which can optionally be appended with headers for specific sections of the website.

I've played around quite a bit with trying to get the include_path to behave the way I want it to, but it seems that I can only get it to include the [tt]header.php[/tt] from the root level or nothing at all.  Does anyone know how to set up this configuration?

[hitman6003]

use $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']

[Zearin]

I know about the $_SERVER variables, but thank you for that. :)

What I'm having trouble with is getting it to search up the folder hierarchy, and allowing for an included header.php to include another header.php from one level up.

[Zearin]

So... does anyone have any ideas? 

Also, when [tt]/sub_dir/includes/header.php[/tt] calls include itself, is the path relative to the page in the user's browser or to the header.php file?

[drifter]

I use DEFINE in my config file to define the paths of all my include, my data, etc - that way even if I deside to change stucture, I can move it.

include(MYINCLUDES . "header.php");

[Albright]

Have you tried include("../../includes/header.php") ?

Suggestion: use require_once() instead. That way you get a visible error if the file is missing, and your script won't include the file twice if you accidentally try to do so.

[btherl]

The path is relative to the included file, not the including file.  That means you can do

[code=php:0]include('../header.php');[/code] to include one level up.

I think your best bet is a little function to walk up the path and try including files for you.  That function will need to be in a fixed location so it can be included before the other including takes place.