Session Variables

[PaulTEG]

Hi,

I'm running Apache on Linux, and Xitami on XP for a test bed.

I'm looking for a way to store persistent data on the server, preferably not a server dependent strategy, but must-do is a great master.

I'm doing a shopping cart type application, and the user can move freely around the "shop". Normally I would pass the data as hidden fields in the form in the webpage, but with a number of stops, this is going to be hairy to test, let alone implement.

I'm just looking for pointers

Regards
Paul

 

[fortytwo]

The last system I wrote puts a user identification string in a cookie sent to the users browser. All this is is a unique identifier for the user. When they visit each page, the application looks up their preferences in a database (MySQL) based on that unique identifier.

Will. will@hellacool.co.uk

http://home.hellacool.co.uk/

 

[PaulTEG]

Cheers Will,

I had already listed cookies as a last resort, but I know too many people who are security conscious to the nth degree, and as a consequence cookies aren't my first choice

Regards
Paul

 

[fortytwo]

Well, I can only think of GET, POST and cookies as being the methods that could be used here to allow a user to maintain a session. You are using POST already, GET I imagine you will have simiar problems to POST, leaving cookies.

Will will@hellacool.co.uk

http://home.hellacool.co.uk/

 

[justice41]

The CGI::Session module looks like it fills your requrements.

http://search.cpan.org/author/SHERZODR/CGI-Session-3.92/Session.pm

I haven't used it yet but have seen it suggested several times. Of particular interest are the 'Tutorial' and 'Cookbook' links in the 'To Learn More' section of the above link.

jaa

 

[PaulTEG]

Looks like just the cookie, came across Apache::Session as well, but the CGI::Session should work for both platforms

Thanks for that