passing variables to functions

[Anon]

I'm passing form variables to numerous functions to process a multi-part form. Is there a way to store these variables in a array or list, so I can just pass the list or array instead of having to type in all the variable names for each function call? If so, how would I access those values once I pass them?

Thanks,

Andrew
[e-mail]

[Anon]

all global variables are stored in $GLOBAL_VARS and you can access them from there. now how you pass this to whatever functions you use i dont know i understand that part so maybe this isnt helpful

[littleelmo]

you can certainly store them in an array.
For example create an array called:
form[]

now you can have an associative array and set form values to be:
form[data1], form[data2]...etc

now, you can simply pass these form values to functions by passing the form[] array as an argument:

function1(form);

but beware... we are dealing with a stateless situation. You may very well lose these variables when passing them around. If you are using php4 you can set up a session and assign these form variables to session variables.

hth

[Anon]

Janine Roe, sounds that you said what I wanted to hear!

Do I need set up php.ini to assign variables to a session? Can you please give me some reference to were can I find more information about session variables? Thank you!

[littleelmo]

no, you don't need to modify php.ini file to use sessions, you just use them by knowing what php funcitons to use.

The only stipulation is that you must be running php4. (session management is new to php4).

Using sessions is really easy.

Basicly, you need to start a session on each page you want to use the variables. Do this by:

session_start(); // this must be executed before any headers go to the web page

then to register variables you do something like this:

session_register( "variablename" );

So, in Andrew's situation above, he could set forms variables as an associative array, and then after the user submits the values, assign them to a session variable array so now you will be able to "save state" by preserving these values from function to function, page to page... what ever.

So example:

session_start();
session_register( "session" );

...
...
//then you can assign the array "form" to the session variable "session" and it will
//copy the array "form" into "session"

$form = $session;

My example is glossed over, but you can read more about sessions here:

http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/mattias20000105.php3

[Anon]

Wouldn't it be easier to use $GLOBALS["variable"] instead? I'm able to pass them ok, and it seems that these $GLOBAL variables are already created.

Let me know what you think...