Old Code Vs New Code - Language Syntax Change?

[EmperorJazzy]

Hi All,

 

I've recently begun programming PHP again and have found my old code doesn't work anymore. It's been a few years since my code was written, and simple functions don't seem to be working. I've done a bit of research into the syntax again and found the following;

 

I used to use a function as such;

 

if ($REQUEST_METHOD=="POST") {

 

Now I've seen alot of the syntax is

 

if ($_SERVER($REQUEST_METHOD=="POST")) {

 

And referencing variables from the form is as such;

 

$_POST['variable']

 

Where previously I could reference them in the simple form;

 

$variable

 

Has there been a language syntax change that would cause my old code to be obsolete? Is there a configuration line that could be changed to allow this old code to work?

 

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated! I'm going mad I tell you!

 

Regards,

 

Jazzy

 

P.S Same ISP, Different Version of PHP

[Barand]

Not a syntax change but "register_globals" was usually ON but was discovered to be a gaping security hole and is now OFF by default. You need to reference the $_GET, $_POST, $_SERVER arrays etc explicitly to read the values.

[EmperorJazzy]

Thanks Barand.. is there any reference material you could guide me to to understand the security issues, and thus if it's worth requesting the ISP switch Register_Globals back on? Or of course, you opinion on switching Register_Globals back on?

[Barand]

http://us2.php.net/register_globals

 

I doubt you ISP would be willing to turn it back on again, for good reason.

 

A quick and dirty workaround is extract() but that just removes the lid from the hole.

 

eg extract($_POST)