import_request_variables();

[batman]

I've read this:
http://us3.php.net/manual/en/function.import-request-variables.php

In this part:

import_request_variables("gP", "rvar_");

print $rvar_foo;

What is the rvar_ ??

The prefix parameter is used as a variable name prefix, prepended before all variable's name imported into the global scope. So if you have a GET value named "userid", and provide a prefix "pref_", then you'll get a global variable named $pref_userid.

Could someone please sum up the above quote?

Thanks,
-Blake

[ereptur]

Since PHP 4.2.x variables passed from one script to another are not globally available. You have to use $_POST['varname'] to access the variables that you are trying to use.

But, if you would like to use these variables in a global manner, you can use the

import_request_variables("gpc","user");

In this example, the gpc means that you will import get THEN post THEN cookie variables. This is important because you may have variables in each scope with the same name and the latter ones.

In order to not conflict with any variables you may be using in your own script, use the second parameter to rename the variables.

I hope this helps explain things a little.

[batman]

So what exactly do you mean when you say it renames them? In your example, if it were to get 2 of the same variables then it would rename one of them user? If you can just explain that for me then I have everything else down.

Thanks..

[ereptur]

No, let's say that on one script you pass the variable named 'username' to a second script.

On the second script, you are already using a variable named 'username'. Now, your variable would most likely overwrite the one that was passed to your script.

In order to keep this from happening, the import_request_variables will rename the passed variable to 'user_username' in an effort to keep it from being overwritten.

The most usefull place where you would use this is if you are accepting posts from another site where you have no control how someone passes information to your script.

You wouldn't want their variables to overwrite or otherwise screw up your own script. So you are renaming their variables essentially to protect your self.

[ereptur]

Example

test_script1.php // this is a script that someone else wrote and is passing to your script

<form method="post">
<input type="text" name="username">
<input type="submit">
</form>

test_script2.php // this is your script

<?php
  import_request_variables("gpc","user");  // user - so it doesn't get overwritten when we declare our own username variable.

  $username = "admin";

  if(strcmp($user_username,$username) == 0) {
    echo "correct";
  } else {
    echo "incorrect";
  }
?>

[batman]

I read you loud and clear.
Thanks a lot,

-Blake