PHP Warning

[webiter]

I am trying to test the ArdGuest - Free PHP Guestbook Script on a production server before installing on website.
I get the fllowing PHP Warning: fopen(ardgb18.dat) [<a href='function.fopen'>function.fopen</a>]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in C:\CustomerData\shopdemo.webitry.net\index.php on line 419

View at www.shopdemo.webitry.net\index.php
I have marked line 419 in the code below.

if (!is_spam($newdata)) {
 line 419	        $tambah = fopen($data_file,"a");
		if (strtoupper($os)=="WIN") {
			if (flock($tambah,LOCK_EX)) {
				fwrite($tambah,$newdata);
				flock($tambah,LOCK_UN);
			}

What is causing the error and how can it be corrected?

[iansane6]

Usually when I get that error it's because the www-data group does not have write permissions to a file or directory.

Can you see and change the file or directory permissions on this server?

[webiter]

Thanks , Write permissions sorted the problem. Why does the PHP warning not tell us aout the write permissions in simple language?

[criterion9]

Thanks , Write permissions sorted the problem. Why does the PHP warning not tell us aout the write permissions in simple language?

I think "failed to open stream: Permission denied" is about as plain as it could be stated IMHO.

[iansane6]

I think "failed to open stream: Permission denied" is about as plain as it could be stated IMHO.

Actually something like "failed to open file because www-data doesn't have write permissions" would be as plain as it can be stated. :-)

I mean the first time I encountered that error I was wondering why I didn't have permission because I was logged in as a root user. I know it now but I can't think of one error message from PHP or any other language that is stated in plain English. It just takes time learning the error language like learning the syntax of the code.

[webiter]

Great that you understand. Thanks.