Problem with PHP cookies

robii1 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-17-04, 04:37 AM

This is the first time I've tried to use PHP cookies so I'm stuck and don't have any idea what the problem is

I have tried to set a cookie on the following page: www.formymobile.co.uk/test2100fascias.shtml

The code looks like this:

<?php
setcookie("fasciaoffer", $name, time()+36000);
?>
<html>

I have checked & this does set a cookie on my pc

I then want to retrieve the cookie when my customer views their shopping basket and display a message

The code in my shopping basket is:

<?php
if (isset($_COOKIE["fasciaoffer"]))
echo "Special offers available - buy any 3 covers & get your 4th choice free! " . $_COOKIE["fasciaoffer"] . "! ";
else
echo "Special offers available - none available on current order ";
?>

The problem is as follows - even though I have the cookie on my pc, the message that comes up in my shopping basket is the one where the cookie has not be found

Anybody have any ideas about what the problem could be? Is my coding correct?

Also, I don't know if this makes any difference, but the file which the retrieve bit is in (the shopping basket) is not in the root folder

Thanks

Robert

darkcarnival · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-04, 09:55 AM

hi,

a cookie really holds info like passwords or broswser i dont think u need a cookie for what you want to do.

robii1 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-04, 10:12 AM

ok, I'm welcome to suggestions if you don't think a cookie would be best but if I can get the cookie to work if would do exactly what I wanted it to do so if you know what's wrong with the code that would also be useful

Trevor · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-04, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robii1

This is the first time I've tried to use PHP cookies so I'm stuck and don't have any idea what the problem is

I have tried to set a cookie on the following page: www.formymobile.co.uk/test2100fascias.shtml

The code looks like this:

<?php
setcookie("fasciaoffer", $name, time()+36000);
?>
<html>

I have checked & this does set a cookie on my pc

I then want to retrieve the cookie when my customer views their shopping basket and display a message

The code in my shopping basket is:

<?php
if (isset($_COOKIE["fasciaoffer"]))
echo "Special offers available - buy any 3 covers & get your 4th choice free! " . $_COOKIE["fasciaoffer"] . "! ";
else
echo "Special offers available - none available on current order ";
?>

The problem is as follows - even though I have the cookie on my pc, the message that comes up in my shopping basket is the one where the cookie has not be found

Anybody have any ideas about what the problem could be? Is my coding correct?

Also, I don't know if this makes any difference, but the file which the retrieve bit is in (the shopping basket) is not in the root folder

Thanks

Robert

I've always had an interesting time when working with cookies. But here are my thoughts :

1) Are you sure $name is passing a value? To check this, echo out $name after you place your cookie. I usually test my vars with echo("name : $name "); just to make sure that my head and PHP are on the same page. If you recieve a null value, there is your problem.

2) I usually find it benefitial to do a page refresh before reading in any cookies. Though you should put a qualifier like if (!isset($_COOKIE['fasciaoffer'])) { set cookie code }

I hope that helps.

robii1 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-18-04, 05:00 PM

it doesn't seem to be passing a value. so what could that be down to?

robert