Learn Uploading Files with PHP | File Handling and Uploads

When you allow users to upload files using PHP, the process begins with an HTML form containing an input of type file. The form must use the enctype="multipart/form-data" attribute to enable file uploads. When the user submits the form, the file is sent to the server as part of the HTTP request.

PHP automatically handles uploaded files by storing them in a temporary directory on the server. Information about each uploaded file is made available in the $_FILES superglobal array. This array contains details such as the original file name, the temporary file path, and any upload errors.

index.php


              12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
            
<?php
// Handle the file upload when the form is submitted
$message = "";
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] === "POST" && isset($_FILES["uploaded_file"])) {
    // Get the uploaded file information
    $fileTmpPath = $_FILES["uploaded_file"]["tmp_name"];
    $fileName = $_FILES["uploaded_file"]["name"];
    $destination = "uploads/" . basename($fileName);

    // Move the file from temporary directory to the uploads folder
    if (move_uploaded_file($fileTmpPath, $destination)) {
        $message = "File uploaded successfully to " . $destination;
    } else {
        $message = "Error uploading the file.";
    }
}
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Simple File Upload</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Upload a File</h2>
    <?php if ($message): ?>
        <p><?php echo htmlspecialchars($message); ?></p>
    <?php endif; ?>
    <form action="index.php" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
        <label for="uploaded_file">Choose file:</label>
        <input type="file" name="uploaded_file" id="uploaded_file" required>
        <button type="submit">Upload</button>
    </form>
</body>
</html>

The uploaded file is not immediately saved to a permanent location. Instead, PHP places it in a temporary directory defined by the server configuration (commonly /tmp on Linux or a similar location on Windows). To keep the file, you must move it from the temporary directory to a permanent folder using a function like move_uploaded_file(). If you do not move the file, it will be deleted automatically when the script ends.

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 4. Chapter 3

Ask AI

Ask anything or try one of the suggested questions to begin our chat

Suggested prompts:

How do I use `move_uploaded_file()` to save the uploaded file?

What information does the `$_FILES` array provide about the uploaded file?

Are there any security considerations when handling file uploads in PHP?

Swipe to show menu

index.php


              12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
            
<?php
// Handle the file upload when the form is submitted
$message = "";
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] === "POST" && isset($_FILES["uploaded_file"])) {
    // Get the uploaded file information
    $fileTmpPath = $_FILES["uploaded_file"]["tmp_name"];
    $fileName = $_FILES["uploaded_file"]["name"];
    $destination = "uploads/" . basename($fileName);

    // Move the file from temporary directory to the uploads folder
    if (move_uploaded_file($fileTmpPath, $destination)) {
        $message = "File uploaded successfully to " . $destination;
    } else {
        $message = "Error uploading the file.";
    }
}
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Simple File Upload</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Upload a File</h2>
    <?php if ($message): ?>
        <p><?php echo htmlspecialchars($message); ?></p>
    <?php endif; ?>
    <form action="index.php" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
        <label for="uploaded_file">Choose file:</label>
        <input type="file" name="uploaded_file" id="uploaded_file" required>
        <button type="submit">Upload</button>
    </form>
</body>
</html>

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 4. Chapter 3