Cookies in PHP, is a client management technique and are text file used to store small amount of data on users computer(client). It is mostly used to store user preferences or personalization. Because it is stored in users computer, it is not secure. Hence information like login and account should not be saved in cookies.
PHP uses HTTP Header to send cookies to user browsers, and it save its. and with each request it send cookies to server.
Syntax
setcookie(name, value, expire, path, domain, security);name parameter is required. All other parameters are optional.
| name | It is key used to access value of given cookie |
| value | It is value of the key |
| expire | It is the time of cookie to stay in user browser, Once the expire time is reached, browser automatically deletes the cookie |
| path | Where cookie is stored |
| domain | Domain for cookie access |
| security | Used to set cookies uses HTTPS or not. |
Example
<?php
setcookie("user", "vasu", time() + (4 * 24), "/");
?>Check cookie is set or not
<?php
setcookie("user", "vasu", time() + (4 * 24), "/");
if (isset($_COOKIE["user"]))
echo "User Name is " . $_COOKIE["user"];
else
echo "Cookie is not created or Set";
?>Get or Access cookie value
<?php
setcookie("user", "vasu", time() + (4 * 24), "/");
echo $_COOKIE["user"];
?>Deleting Cookies
Browser deletes the cookie as per time set in Expiry parameter of setcookie(). But cookie can also be deleted by setting past time in setcookie() function.
<?php
setcookie("user", "vasu", time() + (4 * 24), "/"); // creating cookie
echo $_COOKIE["user"]; // get cookie value
setcookie("user", "", time() - 60); // Deletes cookies
if (isset($_COOKIE["user"])) // check cookie is set or not
echo "User Name is " . $_COOKIE["user"];
?>
If expiry time is not specified in cookie method, browser will delete cookie, when it is closed.