$_SESSION
This YouTube video was created by Steve Griffith.
Like a cookie, a session is a way to store information to be used across multiple pages; however, with a session, the information is store on the server, not the user's computer and only lasts until the user closes the browser.
Starting a Session
In PHP, to start a session the session_start()
function must be invoked. When the function is called, PHP automatically opens and reads the current session. The session_start()
method will need to be invoked on every page that requires a session and should be called before outputting anything to the browser.
Creating Session Data
Once the session_start()
function is invoked, the $_SESSION
array can be used. The [$_SESSION
] array is an associative array containing a session variable available to the current script. Like any other associative array, new items can be added to the session using bracket notation.
<?php
// page1.php
session_start();
$_SESSION['name'] = 'Michael';
header('Location: page2.php');
<?php
// page2.php
session_start();
echo $_SESSION['name']; // Michael
Editing Session Data
Because the $_SESSION
variable is an associative array, we can manipulate its values in the same way as any other array.
<?php
// page1.php
session_start();
$_SESSION['name'] = 'Michael';
echo $_SESSION['name']; // Michael
$_SESSION['name'] = 'Joe';
echo $_SESSION['name']; // Joe
Removing Session Data
The unset
method can be used to remove a variable from the Session.
<?php
// page1.php
session_start();
$_SESSION['name'] = 'Michael';
echo $_SESSION['name']; // Michael
unset($_SESSION['name']);
echo $_SESSION['name']; // null