Using session variables

[CrazyChop]

session_id() will return the id that PHP is currently using to keep track of its session.

[dan0]

The same way you do when a browser sends it: with session_start().

Just to make sure I understand, when the applet submits the session id (which it does as an http request) I can do the following to active the session?

$sessionId = $_POST["sessionId"]; // php script receives the session id
session_start(); // starts session
session_id = $sessionId; // set the session id, so that previously set session variables can be used 

If any of the above is wrong, please let me know. Thanks.

[Twey]

No, of course not. session_id() is a function, not a variable; all variables in PHP start with $.

There's a magic request variable that PHP will automatically pick up and use as the session ID. By default, it's called PHPSESSID. You can set the current session ID by calling session_id($newid);, e.g. session_id($_POST['sessionId']);, but it's easier just to use the default variable.

[dan0]

No, of course not. session_id() is a function, not a variable; all variables in PHP start with $.

That was a mental lapse; I was looking at java and javascript code right before my post. You're absolutely right, as session_id is a function I'd have to send the posted session id ($_POST[sessionId]) as an argument.

There's a magic request variable that PHP will automatically pick up and use as the session ID. By default, it's called PHPSESSID. You can set the current session ID by calling session_id($newid);, e.g. session_id($_POST['sessionId']);, but it's easier just to use the default variable.

Thanks for the clarification; I was concerned that by setting the session id I might "overwrite" the previously set session rather than invoking it.