PHP Cookies:
A cookie is a small piece of information that the server stores at client browser to recognize the user in future. A cookie is sent every time, the same client sends request to the server. PHP facilitates the features of both creating and retrieving cookie values.
To Create a Cookie:
PHP setcookie() function is used to create a cookie.
Syntax:
setcookie(name, value, expire, path, domain, secure, httponly);
- Name: It is a required parameter and accepts a string value which represents the name of the cookie.
- Value: It is an optional parameter and accepts a string value which represents the value of the respected cookie.
- Expire: It is an optional parameter and accepts an int value which represents the expiration time of the cookie.
- Path: It is an optional parameter and accepts a string value.
- Domain: It is an optional parameter and accepts a string value.
- Secure: It is an optional parameter and accepts a boolean value.
- Httponly: It is an optional parameter and accepts a boolean value.
To Retrieve a Cookie:
PHP $_COOKIE is a global variable which is used to retrieve a cookie.
To Modify a Cookie:
PHP setcookie() function can be used to set the Cookies again, if any modification is needed.
To Delete a Cookie:
PHP setcookie() function with a past date and time as the value of the Expire parameter is used to delete a cookie.
To Check if Cookies are Enabled/ Disabled:
Counting the number of $_COOKIE array variables, is used to check if the Cookies are enabled or are disabled. If the Count is greater than 0, Cookies are enabled, else cookies are Disabled.
Example 1: Program to set and retrieve a cookie
<!DOCTYPE html> <?php $CookieName = "Client"; $CookieValue = "Dharmesh Donga"; setcookie($CookieName, $CookieValue) ?> <html> <body> <?php if(!isset($_COOKIE[$Cookie_Name])) { echo "Cookie named '" . $Cookie_Name . "' not found!"; } else { echo "Cookie " . $Cookie_Name . " is set!<br>"; echo "Value of Cookie is: " . $_COOKIE[$Cookie_Name]; } ?> </body> </html> |
Output
Cookie Client is set! Value of Cookie is: Dharmesh Donga |
Example 2: Program to delete a cookie
<!DOCTYPE html> <?php setcookie("Client", "", time() - 1800); ?> <html> <body> <?php echo "You deleted the Cookie 'Client'."; ?> </body> </html> |
Output
You deleted the Cookie 'Client'. |