Passing variable to new page? 2

[stealth71]

Is there any way to pass variables to a new page without putting all of them in a query string?

I have a large form that the user must fill out. Then I want to move the info into a format easier to read ie. without text boxes and have the user verify this info before it is submitted to the database. I currently have to send all of the data through the query string which is rather huge because on of the fields can be a paragraph long. So is there any way to pass this or reshow it without the querystring?

 

[sleipnir214]

On each page, populate hidden fields which preserve the necessary data.

Or use session variables.

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[MJB3K]

you can use forms. put all the data in hidden fields.

e.g.

on page1

<form action="page2.php" method="post">
    <input type="text" name="test">
    <input type="submit" value="Go!">
</form>

page2

<form action="page3.php" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="test" value="<?php echo $_POST['test']; ?>">
    ....etc
</form>

this help?


Regards,

Martin

Gaming Help And Info:

http://gaming.webrevolt.biz

 

[DRJ478]

1. POST with hidden fields
2. Cookies
3. Sessions

I would opt for sessions.
Use session_start() at the top of every page. Assign the values into the superglobal $_SESSION array, e.g. upon receiving the values with POST;

<?
session_start();
$_SESSION['myVar'] = $_POST['myVar'];
# it is available on any pahe where session_start() is called

 

[stealth71]

I think I need to use $_SESSION because my form has:

action="<? echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>"

I do this to check the info in the fields before moving on.

How do you retrieve the info from the SESSION variable on the next page?

 

[sleipnir214]

1. Issue session_start().

2. Reference the elements of the superglobal array $_SESSION.

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[DRJ478]

You just need to call the session_start() at the top of the code and then you have access to the variables in $_SESSION:

<?php
session_start();
# just show all vars in the session
print_r($_SESSION);
# it is an associative array
echo $_SESSION['myVar'];
?>

 

[stealth71]

For security purposes I am wondering when these variables will be erased and where they are stored during the session?

 

[sleipnir214]

The values are stored, by default, on the server's filesystem. Only a cookie containing an index is stored on the user's browser.

And you can erase any session variable at any time. The script:

<?php
session_start();
unset ($_SESSION['foo']);
?>

will erase the session variable 'foo';


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[DRJ478]

PHP has a session_max_lifetime. Usually the sessions are stored in small files by the web server (unless a database driven system was created). Files are the default.

The information can only be accessed by the person with the right session_id (which is passed in a cookie) and someone able to read the sessions files in the file system.

There is a garbage cleanup mechanism cleaning out expired sessions. The settings can be seen in the phpinfo() and can also be manipulated by runtime ini_set() commands.

 

[sleipnir214]

See faq434-4908 for information on PHP's garbage-collection mechanism.



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[stealth71]

Thank You. It's great having such geniuses around to help!