When I create a PHP script that has to send an email to a user I tend to use a template file for the body of the email. I load the template file in to the script then search and replace the variables that I need to before sending it to the user.

I use this template system for a few reasons.

  • Easier to update in the future. I don't have to search thou all my scripts looking for the body of an email instead I can just update the template.
  • I can use the same template for multiple emails
  • It follows the MVC pattern
One of my favorite PHP template engines is http://www.smarty.net/ it just works. You can use it for both Email, Websites or what ever else you want. But it might be a little over kill when you want to just send one email using a template. Instead you could use something similar to this; 

SendEmail.php:
<?php
$name = 'Mr Waterbottom';
$emailBody = file_get_contents( 'email_template.tpl' ) ;
$emailBody = str_replace( '__NAME__', $name, $emailBody );
// SentEmail( $email, "Email Subject", $emailBody );
echo "<pre>";
echo $emailBody ;
echo "</pre>";
?>
 
email_template.tpl:
Hello __NAME__
How are you doing?