PHP include file extension best practices

Question

First off, I'll admit that I'm anal about such things. (Bad, bad, me.) However, I'm just wondering what's considered best practice in terms of naming PHP include files.

As a base case I'm going to keep .php as the final extension (to help prevent un-parsed files being fetched), but to aid distinguishing between a front end file and an include file I'm either going to:

1. Name all of the include files XXX.inc.php

2. Name generic (non class) files as above and class definitions as ClassName.class.php (Potentially handy for auto-loader utilisation down the line, although I'm not a big fan of auto loaders.)

I'm currently plumping for option 2, but I'm just wondering if there are any other suggestions or bits of advice you'd recommend.

Answer 1

First of all, I totally agree with you when you say that all PHP files should have ".php" as a final extension ; two reasons for that :

• as you stated, it helps prevent un-parsed files being fetched
• it also helps with IDE/editors that do syntax-coloration based on filename : you don't have to configure it to consider ".inc" as a PHP file.

There are cases when I do otherwise, though ; the main reason for that is when I'm using a tool (CMS, Framerwork, library, ...) that has some rules about naming of files : I tend to follow those, even if I don't like them.

For instance :

• With Drupal, I use ".inc", ".module", ".install", ...
• With Zend Framework, I use ".phtml" for views scripts (HTML+PHP)

For files that contain classes, I don't like ".class.php" : I think it's kinda redundant ; I tend to use "MyClassName.php", and use this for autoload.
(BTW, that's what Frameworks like Zend Framework or Doctrine ORM recommend)

As a sidenote : you say you are not a big fan of autoloaders ; why ?
I use those as much as I can :

• generally better for performance : only the code you really use is loaded / parsed
• less code to write (no require/include)

Answer 2

I use ClassName.class.php for class files and SomeDescription.lib.php for non-class files.

Not a fan of .inc.php. Seems somehow wrong to describe the file in terms of how it may possibly be imported, instead of its content.