How do you use php sessions?

[cdbsi]

I want to be able to preserve the user login throughout their browser session. So when they enter a new page it will retain their username and that they have successfully logged in.

i.e. session_start()

Thanks,
Chris.

[br__ken]

look into cookies too

[cdbsi]

yes, but i only want it to be available during the current browser session. so if they close their browser then they have to relogin unless specified otherwise.

[driverdave]

log_user.php
session_start();
$_SESSION["user"] = "George";
header("location: next_page.php");

next_page.php
session_start();
echo $_SESSION["user"]." likes spicy chicken.";

Just start the session, then set the session var. It will be set for the rest of the session. Of course, I'm leaving out all sorts of error checking etc..., but this is the basic idea of a session var.

[atomm]

There's a good tutorial on user authentication and tracking, which includes sessions around the end: http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/00/05/index2a.html

[cdbsi]

awesome. thanks guys. : )