How to Send GET Requests in PHP Using `file_get_contents()` or cURL?

Sending GET Requests in PHP

In PHP, sending HTTP GET requests to URLs and retrieving their contents is a common task. To achieve this, PHP offers a few options:

Using file_get_contents()

The file_get_contents() function can be utilized to directly obtain the contents of a URL as a string. This approach is straightforward for basic use cases where only the file's contents are required.

$xml = file_get_contents("http://example.com/file.xml");

Using cURL

If you require more flexibility or control over the HTTP request, cURL is a recommended alternative. It provides a wide array of options to customize the request, such as setting headers, authentication, and managing cookies.

$ch = curl_init("http://example.com/file.xml");
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$xml = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

Example Usage

In the example scenario where you want to download XML contents from a URL, you can choose either approach based on your specific requirements. If you need just the XML content, file_get_contents() is quicker and easier. However, if you need more control over the request, such as authentication or setting headers, cURL is the better choice.

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