__halt_compiler()

__halt_compiler() halts the execution of the compiler. This is useful to embed data alongside code, like the installation files.

Byte position of the data start can be determined by the __COMPILER_HALT_OFFSET__ constant which is defined only if there is a __halt_compiler() presented in the file.

<?php

    // adapted from the manual

    // open this file
    $fp = fopen(__FILE__, 'r');

    // seek file pointer to data
    fseek($fp, __COMPILER_HALT_OFFSET__);

    // and output it
    var_dump(stream_get_contents($fp));

    // the end of the script execution
__halt_compiler(); This part of the file is read by the script.

Documentation

See also Use “__halt_compiler” to … well, halt the PHP compiler.

Related : Compile, Zend Engine, PHP Engine