[FIXED] How to remove the extra line when using PHP SplFileObject and READ_CSV flag?

Issue

When iterating over a csv file using PHP SplFileObject and the READ_CSV flag I get an extra row with a null value. Is there a way to remove this line automatically?

$file = new SplFileObject(__DIR__.'/technologies.csv', 'r');
$file->setFlags(SplFileObject::READ_CSV);
foreach ($file as $row) {
    var_dump($row);
}

This will produce a row with a null value.

...
array(1) {
  [0] =>
  NULL
}

Solution

You want to also set the SplFileObject::SKIP_EMPTY flag, and for that to work also the SplFileObject::READ_AHEAD flag.

The SplFileObject::SKIP_EMPTY flag does what it says on the tin: it skips empty lines. A trailing newline in your file counts as an empty line.

^{(Aside: SplFileObject::READ_AHEAD is needed so that SplFileObject::SKIP_EMPTY can do its job. The next line needs to be read, internally, so that PHP can determine if it is empty or not.)}

---

So, your code will look like (wrapped on to multiple lines so you can read it):

$file->setFlags(SplFileObject::READ_CSV |
                SplFileObject::SKIP_EMPTY |
                SplFileObject::READ_AHEAD);

Answered By - salathe

Answer Checked By - Pedro (PHPFixing Volunteer)