require will throw a PHP Fatal Error if the file cannot be loaded. (Execution stops)
VS
include produces a Warning if the file cannot be loaded. (Execution continues)
The require_once() statement is identical to require() except PHP will check if the file has already been included, and if so, not include (require) it again.
VS
The include_once() statement is identical to include() except PHP will check if the file has already been included, and if so, not include (require) it again.