Nesting Output Buffers

If there is an output buffer active when a new buffer is started, the new buffer will be nested inside the previously active buffer. The inner buffer will behave the same way regardless whether it is nested but output buffered by it will not be buffered by the outer buffer. Only output flushed by the inner buffer will be buffered by the outer buffer.

Most ob_* functions only work with the active output buffer (the last one started) therefore only the active buffer can be flushed, cleaned and turned off. The functions that work with other buffers are ob_list_handlers which returns the list of all output handlers in use and ob_get_status which can return information on the active buffer only or on all buffers in use.

Calling ob_get_level or ob_get_status will return the nesting level of the active output buffer.