How to Retrieve the Current URL Path in PHP

In PHP, you can easily obtain the current URL path using the $_SERVER superglobal. Here's a simple way to accomplish this:

<?php
echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];

The REQUEST_URI key provides the URL path, including the query string if one exists.

For instance, if the URL is https://www.example.com/foo?bar=baz, the output will be /foo?bar=baz.

Understanding $_SERVER and the URL Path

Now that you’ve seen the basic approach, let’s break it down:

• $_SERVER is a superglobal array in PHP, which means it is accessible anywhere within your script. It contains details about headers, paths, and the script's environment.
• ['REQUEST_URI'] is an element within $_SERVER that holds the complete URI, including both the path and any query string.

You can explore more by using var_dump() on $_SERVER to see all the useful data it contains.

Practical Uses of the URL Path

• Breadcrumb Navigation: Use the current URL path to generate dynamic breadcrumbs, helping users trace their location within the site.
• Menu Highlighting: Dynamically highlight the active menu item by comparing it with the current…