PHP Cookies

The cookies retain the pattern of variables, as explained in a previous course, variable_name = variable_value, but other parameters are also defined in a cookie:

• Time of expiration
• The directory path which must be read the cookie
• The domain name
• And the header type (http, https)

to send a cookie, we use the PHP function named setcookie ()

Example:

<?php
setcookie("visitor","iTeachWeb","/");
?> 

In this example, the cookie can be displayed on every page of the site, by using the "/"

Now! we will send a cookie, keeping the same variable, but with an expiration of 1 year

Example:

 <?php
setcookie("visitor","iTeachWeb",time()+365 * 24 * 3600 , "/");
?>

How it works?

First, you have visitor, it's the name of your variable for this cookie, iTeachWeb is its value, next you have time() this is the locally time (see the dates lesson), So in this example, time()+ is the time and date + 365 days x 24 hours x 3600 seconds (60 seconds times 60 minutes to get 1 hour), So the cookie expires in 1 year.

How to get the cookie?

Example of how to get a cookie:

<?php
print $_COOKIE['visitor'].' is my cookie';
?> 

will display on the screen

iTeachWeb is my cookie.

Very easy ah! :-)

How to delete a cookie?

Example:

<?php
setcookie("visitor","",time()-3600,"/");
?> 

Now the cookie is no more in your visitor's computer.

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