Cookie FAQs in PHP

What is a Cookie?
A cookie is often used to identify a user. A cookie is a small file that the server embeds on the user's computer. Each time the same computer requests a page with a browser, it will send the cookie too. With PHP, you can both create and retrieve cookie values.

 

How to Create a Cookie?

Syntax:

setcookie(name, value, expire, path, domain);

Example -

setcookie("user", "Alex Porter", time()+3600);

 

How to Retrieve a Cookie Value?
The PHP $_COOKIE variable is used to retrieve a cookie value.

Example -

// Print a cookie
echo $_COOKIE["user"];
// A way to view all cookies
print_r($_COOKIE);

 

How to Delete a Cookie?
When deleting a cookie you should assure that the expiration date is in the past.
// set the expiration date to one hour ago
setcookie("user", "", time()-3600);

 

Example program Checking for Cookie Support from PHP:

< ? php
     if(!isset($_GET['testcookie']))
     {
       setcookie("testcookie", "test value");
       header("Location: {$_SERVER["PHP_SELF"]}?testcookie=1");
       exit;
     }
     else
     {
       if(isset($_COOKIE['testcookie']))
       {
         setcookie("testcookie");
         echo "You have cookies enabled";
       }
       else
       {
         echo "You do not support cookies!";
       }
     }
  ? >

What? looking for output? why don’t you try the output? Execute the above program and comment us your output. Correct output is appreciated.