The “Buffer” class provides functionality for managing named output buffers using PHP’s output buffering system. Buffers are tracked in a stack to ensure proper nesting and can be stored, retrieved, and set by name.

Start

Buffer::start(string $name): void

Start a named output buffer. Pushes the buffer name onto the stack and begins capturing output. All output generated after this call will be captured until end() is called with the same name.

Example:

Buffer::start('sidebar');
echo "<div class='sidebar'>";
echo "  <h3>Navigation</h3>";
echo "  <ul>...</ul>";
echo "</div>";
Buffer::end('sidebar');

End

Buffer::end(string $name): void

End a named output buffer. Stops capturing output for the named buffer and stores the captured content. The buffer name must match the most recently started buffer to maintain proper nesting.

Throws RuntimeException if the buffer name doesn’t match the top of the stack.

Example:

Buffer::start('content');
// ... output content ...
Buffer::end('content');

Set

Buffer::set(string $name, string $string): void

Set the contents of a named buffer. Directly assigns content to a buffer without using output buffering. This overwrites any existing content for the buffer.

Example:

Buffer::set('title', 'Welcome to MintyPHP');
Buffer::set('meta_description', 'A lightweight PHP framework');

Get

Buffer::get(string $name): bool

Get the contents of a named buffer. Echoes the stored content of the specified buffer if it exists.

Returns true if the buffer exists and was output, false otherwise.

Example:

// Output the sidebar buffer in your layout
if (Buffer::get('sidebar')) {
  // Sidebar was rendered
} else {
  // No sidebar content available
}

Common usage in templates:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title><?php Buffer::get('title'); ?></title>
</head>
<body>
  <main><?php Buffer::get('html'); ?></main>
  <aside><?php Buffer::get('sidebar'); ?></aside>
</body>
</html>