PHP Cookie Handling

PHP Cookie Handling – Storing User Data in the Browser 🍪

Ever noticed how a website “remembers” you? That’s cookies at work! 🍪 Cookies allow websites to store small pieces of data in a user’s browser, like usernames, preferences, or even shopping cart items.

🔹 What is a Cookie?

A cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s computer by their web browser. In PHP, you can set cookies using the setcookie() function.

📝 Example: Setting a Cookie

The following example sets a cookie named user that expires in 1 hour.

<?php
// Set a cookie
setcookie("user", "JohnDoe", time() + 3600, "/"); 

echo "Cookie has been set!";
?>

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Explanation:

  • "user" → Cookie name.
  • "JohnDoe" → Cookie value.
  • time() + 3600 → Expires in 1 hour.
  • "/" → Available across the entire website.

🔹 Retrieving a Cookie

Once a cookie is set, you can access it using the $_COOKIE superglobal.

📝 Example: Getting a Cookie Value

<?php
if(isset($_COOKIE["user"])) {
    echo "Welcome back, " . $_COOKIE["user"] . "!";
} else {
    echo "No cookie found!";
}
?>

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Output: Welcome back, JohnDoe! (if the cookie exists)

🔹 Deleting a Cookie

To delete a cookie, set its expiration time to a past timestamp.

📝 Example: Deleting a Cookie

<?php
// Delete a cookie by setting its expiration to the past
setcookie("user", "", time() - 3600, "/");

echo "Cookie has been deleted.";
?>

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🎯 Key Takeaways

  • setcookie(name, value, expire, path) → Creates a cookie.
  • $_COOKIE["name"] → Retrieves a cookie.
  • setcookie(name, "", time() - 3600) → Deletes a cookie.

📝 Practice Time!

Try setting a cookie for user preferences, like theme color 🎨 or language 🌍. How would you use cookies to store a “Remember Me” login? 🤔