How can you tell how many people are on your site?

[env3rt]

I need to know how to tell how many people are viewing your site. I imagine the code would be something like this:

<?php
session_start();  
if(isset($_SESSION['views']))
    $_SESSION['views'] = $_SESSION['views']+ 1;
echo "
<script type='text/javascript' for='window' event='onunload'>
$_SESSION['views'] = $_SESSION['views']- 1;
</script>";

echo "views = ". $_SESSION['views']; 
?>

(the above doesn't work)

Unless there is a php onunload function.. please help

 

[MmmVomit]

No, that won't work.  Each user has their own session, and different sessions cannot directly interact with each other.

 

What you would need to do is use session_set_save_handler.  This will store all session data in a table in your database.  You can then count the number of active sessions by querying that table.  This not only allows extra functionality, but increases security, as well.

[env3rt]

Is there a way to do it without tables (I don't like them)

[MmmVomit]

I suppose you could do it with flat text files, but that would be very messy and difficult.  session_set_save_handler would let you do it with text files as well.

 

What is your aversion to using a database?

[env3rt]

I liked using php files more than databases because I don't like phpmyadmin or mysql cause I don't know how to use them.

[MmmVomit]

Learn.  Really, if your site is to store any information at all, you need a database of some kind.

 

As far as liking "php files more than databases", it's not an either or type of thing.  PHP is a hammer.  A database is a drill.  They're both extremely useful, but do completely different jobs.  If you want work with PHP, learning to use a database is essential.