[SOLVED] can't set session variables - stumped!

[jeromeramone]

Hi, I'm new to PHP but have been coding in ASP for 8 years so my grasp of server-side scripting is pretty solid...  Have picked up php effortlessly until this session problem.

 

I have two files that very simply illustrate my very basic problem:

 

1st file:

<?php

session_start();

$_SESSION['foobar'] = "hello";

echo("foobar: ".$_SESSION['foobar']);

?>

 

this file returns:

foobar: 1

 

2nd file:

<?php

echo("foobar: ".$_SESSION['foobar']);

?>

 

this file returns:

foobar:

 

...nothing's there!

 

I've been through all the php.net documentation with no luck.  I've tried "session_write_close();" after setting the variable, I've tried making the session variables "global", to no avail.  The PHP version that is installed on the server is 4.3.10... is that way outta date?

 

Thanks in advance for any insight..!

[yarnold]

In the second file, add "session_start()" on the line before you try to echo out the session variable.

 

session_start() needs to be exected at the top of ALL pages that call or set session variables.

[Humpty]

$_SESSION['foobar'] = "hello";

echo("foobar: ".$_SESSION['foobar']);

 

Perhaps try using double quotes:

$_SESSION["foobar"]

 

I've always used them and not had a problem as of yet.  I did copy and paste your code and didn't get "1" as the echo.  I got "hello" Sorry can't help you there any more.  And also don't forget what yarnold said.

[jeromeramone]

whoops, yeah, it returned "foobar: hello" not "foobar: 1" ...that was a typo.

 

BUT, adding "session_start();" to the page worked!!

 

I guess I assumed that the "start" in "session_start" meant that you were "starting the session"... not "starting to access the session"... seems kinda counter-intuitive doesn't it?

 

anyways... THANKS yarnold!

[Humpty]

I thought it was odd, but gave the benifit of the doubt, and actually thought that you had 2 problems, (one resolved by yarnold).

 

In that case also make sure that you use session_start(); as the first PHP line and don't output anything prior to it.

 

And also if you are gonna have the session making/reading code as an include you have to put session_start() in the 'parent file'

 

 

some things we just find out the hard way hehe