Should require_once "some file.php" ; appear anywhere but the top of the file?
<p>Is the following example appropriate for PHP's require_once construct?</p>

<pre><code>function foo( $param )
{
    require_once "my_file.php" ;
    //
    // do something here
}
</code></pre>

<p>Or is it more appropriate to only have require_once constructs at the beginning of the file?</p>

<p>Even though the file being included is useful only in the context of the function, is it not better to have includes at the top for readability and maintainability?</p>
