session query

micmac

Hi Guys,
I'm currently creating a shopping cart.
What would be the best procedure in this instance:

If it is a first time user, do I create a session and track their movements and then store a cookie for "X" amount of time or is this a waste of time?

Any advice appreciated.
micmac

zingbats

definately sessions. Otherwise you'll have to keep logging in each time they do a transaction. The cookies are optional, but I would put them in there as an extra precausion.

Alternately, use a free premade shopping cart.

http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/E-Commerce/Shopping_Carts/

JakesSA

Like zingbats said.... store it in a session untill he/she is ready to buy. Once they enter the e-com gateway and are ready to check out, write the session to a db and create a invoicing system from that.

You seem to have alot of questions regarding session management.... check out http://www.devarticles.com , you will find some great help there.

🙂

micmac

Yes i do have alot of questions.

But what if they are already a customer?
What if their session has already expired?????

Please help.
Cheers,
micmac

micmac

But is that secure?????????????

In regards to PHP and Apache Server....?

Just a question?
micmac

JakesSA

The session willl not expire unless they do one of two things....close their browser or stay on the same page longer than what is required in the ini file.

Yes...it is pritty safe, unless someone tries to hijack that session. It just depends on how strongly you write you code and how much you polute your global namespace.