How do includes outside the document root work?

[DevilBear]

My understanding is that if a path is in the include_path, then you can include() from that path even if it's above the web server's document root...

I've added /usr/local/zend/library to the include path, and yet I get:

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '1' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/pear/PEAR:/php/includes:/usr/local/zend/library') in /Library/WebServer/Documents/project/path/file.php on line 4

Any ideas?

[Cups]

Failed opening '1' for inclusion

I don't understand that message.

Put a test file in that zend/library folder:

test.inc.php

<?php
echo "found!! ;
?>

[/php]

Then in a page in a public folder:
...
include 'test.inc.php' ;
...

[DevilBear]

That worked; it all seems to be working now. I think I may have just been up too late.

[Cups]

Ah, that. Well its usually that or the alcohol, or both.