PHP Cookies

jaZon

Ok, I want to have a java prompt popup when a user visits for the first time that asks for ZIP code. I want that to be stored so I can call it on diff pages throughout the site. I am clueless about how to go about this. I've read several things on creating cookies w/ php, but nothing is seeming to work. This script would be stored in a header file loaded by all pages, btw.

ALSO, calling java variables(the prompt window) into php scripts. HOW?! That is one thing I can find no useful information on.

tbach2

Here's an idea, hope it helps...

<?php

// this must be called before ANY output!
function set_zip($value) {
	global $error;

// set cookie and set $error if if fails
if($value && setcookie('zip',$value)) {
	return true;
}

$error = 'Error: cookie not set';
return false;
}

function is_zip($value) {
	// filter untrusted variable (good habit to get in to)
	preg_match("/([0-9]{5}-{0,1}[0-9]{0,4})/",$value,$match);
	$zip = $match[1];
	if($zip) {
		return $zip;
	} else {
		return false;
	}
}

// init variables
$ask_for_zip = false;	
$zip = false;



// is cookie set?
if($_COOKIE['zip']) {
	// check if cookie is valid zip code and assign to $zip
	$zip = is_zip($_COOKIE['zip']);

// zip value sent to script?
} else if($_GET['zip']) {
	$zip = is_zip($_GET['zip']);
	set_zip($zip);  // you can check this, ie if(set_zip($zip)), to see if it worked or not

// must ask for zip
} else {
	$ask_for_zip = true;
}

?>

<html>
<head>
<title>sample script</title>
<script language="javascript">
<!--

function get_zip() {
	var zip = window.prompt("Please enter your zip code");
	var sendTo = eval("'<?php print $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] ?>?zip=' + zip");
	if(sendTo) {
		location.href = sendTo;
	}
	return false;
}

// -->
</script>
<body<?php if($ask_for_zip) { print " onload='get_zip();'"; } ?>>

<?php
printf("The zip code is %s",
        $zip
        );
?>

</body>
</html>

jimson

<?php 

// this must be called before ANY output! 
function set_zip($value) { 
global $error; 

// set cookie and set $error if if fails 
if($value && setcookie('zip',$value)) { 
return true; 
} 

$error = 'Error: cookie not set'; 
return false; 
} 

function is_zip($value) { 
// filter untrusted variable (good habit to get in to) 
preg_match("/([0-9]{5}-{0,1}[0-9]{0,4})/",$value,$match); 
$zip = $match[1]; 
if($zip) { 
return $zip; 
} else { 
return false; 
} 
} 

// init variables 
$ask_for_zip = false; 
$zip = false; 



// is cookie set? 
if($_COOKIE['zip']) { 
// check if cookie is valid zip code and assign to $zip 
$zip = is_zip($_COOKIE['zip']); 

// zip value sent to script? 
} else if($_GET['zip']) { 
$zip = is_zip($_GET['zip']); 
set_zip($zip); // you can check this, ie if(set_zip($zip)), to see if it worked or not 

// must ask for zip 
} else { 
$ask_for_zip = true; 
} 

?> 

<html> 
<head> 
<title>sample script</title> 
<script language="javascript"> 
<!-- 

function get_zip() { 
var zip = window.prompt("Please enter your zip code"); 
var sendTo = eval("'<?php print $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] ?>?zip=' + zip"); 
if(sendTo) { 
location.href = sendTo; 
} 
return false; 
} 

// --> 
</script> 
<body<?php if($ask_for_zip) { print " onload='get_zip();'"; } ?>> 

<?php 
printf("The zip code is %s", 
$zip 
); 
?> 
</body> 
</html>

jaZon

wow, that seems to be exactly what I was looking for. Now I just have to figure out exactly how it works😃

Thanks!

tbach2

hmm, as I wrote it, once the cookie is set, it's not easy to change. If you change the flow so that it checks for the get variable before it checks the cookie, then you can easily change the value of zip by simply passing it in the url.

Glad I could help 🙂