Initialize session data session_set_save_handler session_unregister Session Functions PHP Manual session_start (PHP 4, PHP 5)session_start — Initialize session data Description bool session_start ( void ) session_start() creates a session or resumes the current one based on the current session id that's being passed via a request, such as GET, POST, or a cookie. If you want to use a named session, you must call session_name() before calling session_start(). session_start() will register internal output handler for URL rewriting when trans-sid is enabled. If a user uses ob_gzhandler or like with ob_start(), the order of output handler is important for proper output. For example, user must register ob_gzhandler before session start. Return Values This function always returns TRUE. ChangeLog Version Description 4.3.3 As of now, calling session_start() while the session has already been started will result in an error of level E_NOTICE. Also, the second session start will simply be ignored. Examples Example #1 A session example: page1.php <?php// page1.phpsession_start();echo 'Welcome to page #1';$_SESSION['favcolor'] = 'green';$_SESSION['animal'] = 'cat';$_SESSION['time'] = time();// Works if session cookie was acceptedecho '<br /><a href="page2.php">page 2</a>';// Or maybe pass along the session id, if neededecho '<br /><a href="page2.php?' . SID . '">page 2</a>';?> After viewing page1.php, the second page page2.php will magically contain the session data. Read the session reference for information on propagating session ids as it, for example, explains what the constant SID is all about. Example #2 A session example: page2.php <?php// page2.phpsession_start();echo 'Welcome to page #2<br />';echo $_SESSION['favcolor']; // greenecho $_SESSION['animal']; // catecho date('Y m d H:i:s', $_SESSION['time']);// You may want to use SID here, like we did in page1.phpecho '<br /><a href="page1.php">page 1</a>';?> Notes Note: If you are using cookie-based sessions, you must call session_start() before anything is outputted to the browser. Note: Use of zlib.output_compression is recommended rather than ob_gzhandler() See Also $_SESSION The session.auto_start configuration directive session_id() session_set_save_handler session_unregister Session Functions PHP Manual
