[Resolved] [Resolved] $GLOBALS or global array?

[BigBadKev]

Hi all,

I am just getting my head around globals off and this may sound stupid but does that include $GLOBALS? as in the superglobal array?
Here is some code can anyone tell me the real diff between them?

function newbie() {
 global $some_array;
    //......do some flakey stuff...
    $hello = "first test";
    $some_array = array("hello" => $hello);
    return $some_array;
}
//called from another file
$beginner->newbie();

//test if it works or not
if ($some_array["hello"] == "first test") {
  echo "it worked";
}
else {
  echo "it failed";
}
//result : "it worked"

//this is the real question : if i do this in function newbie
$GLOBALS["hello"] = $hello;

//test to see if it works or not
if ($GLOBALS["hello"] == "first test") {
  echo "it worked";
}
else {
  echo "it failed";
}
//result : "it worked"

which is best and can I do both?

Thanks

BBK
🙂

[feldon23]

Why do you want to use Globals?

[BigBadKev]

Hi,

I want to use globals so that the array name is always the same throughout the code, when you hear people saying register_globals is off does this mean the $GLOBALS array as well?

BBK
🙂

[feldon23]

global(); and $_GLOBALS are two entirely different things.

global provides access inside a function to a variable defined globally (within one PHP file).

$_GLOBALS is the superglobal associated with forms, query strings, sessions, and cookies.

when you hear people saying register_globals is off does this mean the $GLOBALS array as well?

Yes. There are some security issues with superglobals.

[BigBadKev]

Hi,

thanks for your reply, one last question, if superglobals are a problem and are to be set off then when are they going to get rid of them?

BBK
🙂

[Moonglobe]

superglobals are NEVER off. register_globals can be off, therby necessitating the use of the superglobal arrays. $GLOBALS is not a superglobal. it is an array of all variables defined in the gloabl scope, e.g:

//declare some vars
$var1=123;
$var2="123";
$var3= false;
//now lets print the globals array:
print_r($GLOBALS);
/*outputs:
Array (
    [var1] => 123
    [var2] => "123"
    [var3] => false
) */

hope that clears up some things 🙂
moon

[laserlight]

Actually, $GLOBALS is a superglobal too.

EDIT:
and I dont recall a global() function either.
There's no $_GLOBALS AFAIK.

[Moonglobe]

hmmm everything ive read says otherwise, and ive never had a need to use it......ill have to test that out, thx laserlight

sry 'bout the misinformation on the above post 😉

moon

[edit]there is no global() function im pretty sure he was just refferencing the language constrct.[/edit]

[laserlight]

Just read
http://www.php.net/manual/en/reserved.variables.php

[BigBadKev]

Hi all,

So just to double check : when someone/tuorial/forums..etc say that register globals are set to off does this mean I cant use the $GLOBALS array?....I kinda like this array.

BBK
🙂

[laserlight]

Read this forum's FAQ on register_globals
Read also what the PHP manual has to say.

[BigBadKev]

Hi All,

At the risk of being exposed as a newbie i need to ask this, i read the article above, with register globals turned off then my code is correct? and i am coding correcting by pre-assinging a variable?

$hello = "first test"; 
$GLOBALS["hello"] = $hello; 

sorry to be pain but I just want to use this very juicy array...is there another way I can use it...🙂

BBK
🙂

[Moonglobe]

yes, your code will work. when you define $helloo, you also define $GLOBALS['hello'].....that's the point of $GLOBALS.

[BigBadKev]

Hi All,

So I can use this even with register_globals set to off? and I have a problem..mine is set to on so how do i switch it off?

BBK
🙂

[Moonglobe]

yes you can use it with register_globals off, but there's little use to using it...well, otoh it could make your code a little cleaner with out all those global $blah's in there....

as for your other question im assuming you're running apache and have a .htaccess file. just put this in it (if your host will let you do this -- they might have disabled it)

php_flag register_globals off

if you cant or aren't running apache, talk to your host about setting it to off (tell them its for security reasons and point them to the right place and theyll probably thank you😉)

hth
moon

[BigBadKev]

Hi All,

Cool thanks i am going to plunder this $GLOBALS array, the other problem is i am running apache on a win system here on my comp so is it different on a win system?

really do appreciate it.

Thanks

BBK
🙂

[Moonglobe]

no different on windows, just harder to make a .htaccess file (notepad takes a while i think (but then again i haven't use it in months)). so just use whatever editor you use to make a .htaccess file and put it in your web root with that line in it, and it should disable register_globals. just one question though: whyu are you running it off windows? is this just for testing?

[BigBadKev]

Hi All,

I only have a win system so I run everything from it for development and what I am doing is just to get up to speed with php by doing small projects

BBK
🙂

[Moonglobe]

ok i see now so you dont have a webhost -- just one suggestion try to get one that has a config similar to yours.... my hosts is very different and its frustrating at times.

[feldon23]

I just don't see any benefit to using $_GLOBALS. Actually it seems to make for difficult-to-follow code since you could be getting the data from anywhere.

I take comfort in knowing that $GET['elvis'] only checks the query line for that, vs $GLOBALS['elvis'] which could get contaminated results from who knows where.