PHP Serialization

[c_pattle]

I was looking for a way to use to same instance of a class over multiple pages (e.g with the same property values) and I came across serialization.  However the only articles I could find on it where quite a few years old.  Is this still a good practise?  Also if it is how to you recommend I do it?  I have experimented serializing objects to session variables, is this a good method or should I use text files or databases instead?

 

Thanks for any help. 

[PFMaBiSmAd]

You can either create an instance of your class in a session variable or you can simply copy the instance to/from a session variable. The class definition needs to exist before the session_start() statement so that the object can be recreated.

 

It is not and never was necessary to serialize an object to store it in a session variable.

[betterphp]

It depends what you are doing really. I sometimes store a serialised array in a text file to cache some data (form an API for example)

 

but for some things a database will make more sense.

[c_pattle]

Thanks

 

I tried to copy my class instance into a session variable but I am having some problems.  On my index page I have this copied my class to a session variable and then on my other page I am doing this

 

$db = new dbClass();
$contentclass = new contentClass($db);

session_start();

$contentclass = $_SESSION['contentclass'];

 

When I create the class I am passing a database connection using dependency injection.  However when I copy my from session variable it effectively clears the connection meaning I can use any of the method in my class.  Does anyone know what I should do? 

 

Thanks for any help. 

 

 

[yozyk]

You cannot strore database connection in session variables. All database conections will be closed after your php script has been executed.

[betterphp]

You will only be able to store data, not an active resource like a connection or a file pointer.

 

I don’t see why you would want to store the connection like this :?