$_GET limitation

[daneth1712]

Hi guys,

 

I just need some clarification regarding the limitations of $_GET.

I understand that $_GET variables should be kept under 100 characters, but I am planning on using about 250 variables in a single url post and wanted to check before I started writing it that it is going to work.

 

Each variable used will probably not exceed 50 charatcers at most, generally this will be around 15-20 characters each, but if I am planning on using over 200 $_GET variables in one url, is this going to cause any problems?

 

I know its probably a better idea to use $_POST, but this is a much easier way for me to set this up using $_GET with the amount of variables that need to be used for this script.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Daniel0]

You're definitely doing something wrong if you need that many parameters!

[aebstract]

I don't think it would really be a "problem" off the bat, you may run in to security issues or something. I wouldn't recommend anything like that honestly, what is wrong with using post? Might want to take note of this too:

 

Although the RFC doesn’t lay down any length-related guidelines, Internet Explorer – with its insistence on finding ways to make things difficult for us – enforces a maximum URL length of 2,048 characters.

[daneth1712]

Hi guys,

 

If you see this thread, this is basically what I am trying to do.

I have killed myself trying to fix that script and get it to work, that I know from trying that, that I can get it to work with 2 'reconnections'.

 

So I am now looking to include as many 'files' ... or '$_GET's as possible in those 2 connections.

Yes I could use $_POST for this, but it will just take me alot longer to set this up and test it. I more need an answer at this stage on a way this can/could work. Any pointers are very much welcomed.

[aebstract]

You really haven't given us any information on what this "script" is suppose to be doing and what it is doing wrongly. How are we suppose to offer any sort of help?

[daneth1712]

apologies I meant to post this link

 

http://www.phpfreaks.com/forums/index.php/topic,285559.0.html 

 

The script is an update/ftp download script.

 

I have users with an apache/php setup on their local PC's where I plan on having a script added there that will basically talk to a script on a webserver that lists a load of files to download (this is perfectly legal btw) and connects via ftp and $_GET's the list of files and then places them where they should be on their local PC's.

 

apologies again for missing the link on teh previous post

[Daniel0]

Pass an array using POST.

[daneth1712]

Many thanks Daniel0 for your help... so do you mean it will work like this?

 

On page that will be on webserver (which I can add the list of files and paths to be downloaded) to look like this...

 

<?php

$updateitems=array('test1/test1.txt','test1/test2.txt','test1/test3.txt','test1/test4.txt','test1/test5.txt'); //etc etc for all 200+ files
echo '<form method="post" action="http://localhost:80/updatefileonelocalserver.php">'; //where to send it
echo '<input type="hidden" name="items" value="$updateitems">'; //array of files? Is there not a limit on the amount that can be posted here?

?>

 

Then on the page on the local system to have them received like this?

 

<?php
$receiveditem1=$_POST['items'][0];
$receiveditem2=$_POST['items'][1];
$receiveditem3=$_POST['items'][2];
$receiveditem4=$_POST['items'][3];
$receiveditem5=$_POST['items'][4];
?>

 

Or have I done this wrong?

 

[Daniel0]

More like this if it's a form you want to use.

 

<?php
$updateitems=array('test1/test1.txt','test1/test2.txt','test1/test3.txt','test1/test4.txt','test1/test5.txt');
echo '<form method="post" action="http://localhost:80/updatefileonelocalserver.php">';
foreach ($updateitems as $item) {
echo '<input type="hidden" name="items[]" value="' . $item . '">';
}
// etc.
echo '</form>';
?>

[daneth1712]

ok great, so the foreach will repeat the hidden field for each array?

 

So will the page I added as an example work for getting the info with your script?

 

And one last thing, is there any limitation to the amount of times/files that can be used?

 

Also... do you know if there are any server or browser limitations by doing it this way? As I kept running into problems before with http timeouts, header issues 

[teamatomic]

The only limitation on gets AFAIK is

domain.com?this|is|valid|here|as|a|url

this is limited to 128 characters

 

and before you reply back with a WTF, it is the first key in the GET array, empty, but useful if you want to be tricky about something.

 

HTH

Teamatomic