$_root = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT']

executing the above statement under phped and my target system gives two different results.

under phped it gives the actual path to the script which is running.
on my target system it gives the topmost level which I believe is correct?

comments?

I need a function which will always return the root. How do I do this?

Thanks

'DOCUMENT_ROOT' is a variable supported by Apache. You may have different DOCUMENT_ROOTs for different virtual hosts.
When you run with debugger (phped), do you use Apache? Probably not and it explains why values differs. I'd recommend you to switch to Apache if your application depends on Apache variables. To get debugger working under Apache, you'll need to install it there. Please proceed with this FAQ post: http://forum.nusphere.com/howto-install-debugger-module-t576.html

I should add; under settings/embedded web server, the default home directory is set correctly to the root. I believe this is what should be returned, instead the actual path to the script is returned?

I could not replicate this problem.
I created project, created a subdirectory in it, created phpinfo file, ran it and after all it shows me project's root, not path to the file.

Well, that does not help me very much.

perhaps this is the difference. Because I was using xampp before phped all my projects are under xampp\htdocs.

the projects which i have created with phped are not under the phped projects path, but rather point to a xampp\htdocs.

$_root = $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'];
echo ("Document Root '" . $_root . "'<br>");

the above code definitely gives me the path to the script and not the root.

Can you try creating a project which is not under phped and then execute the above code.

Thanks.

if you have xampp, why don't you install dbg debugger there and debug your projects using xampp instead of the internal server as I suggested before?

Give me a link on how to do that, please.

it's what I did before too

To get debugger working under Apache, you'll need to install it there. Please proceed with this FAQ post: http://forum.nusphere.com/howto-install-debugger-module-t576.html