PHP curl_close() Function Explained with Examples

Introduction to PHP curl_close() Function

cURL (Client URL Library) is a PHP extension used to send and receive HTTP requests. It supports GET and POST requests, setting request headers, handling cookies, and more. After completing a cURL request, it is important to close the cURL session to free up resources. The curl_close() function is designed for this purpose.

curl_close() Function Syntax

The basic syntax of curl_close() is as follows:

curl_close(resource $ch): void

$ch is a cURL handle created with curl_init(), representing a cURL session. Calling curl_close() will close the specified session and release associated resources.

Example of Using curl_close()

// Create a cURL handle
$ch = curl_init();

// Set cURL options
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, "https://www.example.com");
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);

// Execute the cURL request
$result = curl_exec($ch);

// Close the cURL session
curl_close($ch);

In this example, we create a cURL handle $ch using curl_init() and set options with curl_setopt(), such as the request URL and whether to return the response. Then we execute the request using curl_exec() and store the result in $result. Finally, we call curl_close() to close the session and free resources.

Benefits of Using curl_close()

Closing a cURL session offers several benefits:

Resource saving: Frees network connections and related resources, preventing resource leaks.

Performance improvement: Timely resource release reduces server load.

Memory release: Variables and caches associated with the session are destroyed, reducing memory usage.

Important Notes

Once a cURL session is closed, the handle cannot be reused. If you need to send a new request, you must create a new cURL handle.

Conclusion

The curl_close() function is essential for closing cURL sessions in PHP. After completing HTTP requests, it should be called to save resources, improve performance, and release memory. By following the example, you can understand the basic usage of curl_close(). Proper use of curl_close() ensures more efficient and robust code in practical development.