How to Capture Dynamically Generated PHP Output into a Variable?

Capturing PHP Output into a Variable

In a scenario where dynamic XML is generated for multiple purposes, including both user preview and passing as a post variable, capturing the generated XML into a variable can streamline the process. Instead of generating the XML twice, once for the preview and once for the form value, this approach allows for a single generation.

Consider the following code structure:

<code class="php">$lots of = "php";

<xml>
    <morexml>

    <?php while(){
    ?>
    <somegeneratedxml>
    <?php } ?>

    <lastofthexml>

    <?php ?>


    <pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false">
      The XML for the user to preview
    

To capture the generated XML into a variable, utilize the ob_start() and ob_get_clean() functions:

<code class="php"><?php ob_start(); ?>
<xml></xml>
<?php $xml = ob_get_clean(); ?>
<input value="<?php echo $xml ?>"></code>

The ob_start() function begins output buffering, capturing all subsequent output, including the generated XML, into an internal buffer. The ob_get_clean() function then retrieves the buffered output and assigns it to the $xml variable.

By capturing the XML once and storing it in the $xml variable, you can output it both in the user preview and the form value without the need for redundant generation.

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