PHP enables you to download file easily using built-in readfile() function. The readfile() function reads a file and writes it to the output buffer.

PHP readfile() function

Syntax

int readfile ( string $filename [, bool $use_include_path = false [, resource $context ]] )

$filename: represents the file name

$use_include_path: it is the optional parameter. It is by default false. You can set it to true to the search the file in the included_path.

$context: represents the context stream resource.

int: it returns the number of bytes read from the file.

PHP Download File Example: Text File

File: download1.php

PHP Download File Example: Binary File

File: download2.php