Storing a Connection Link Identifier for Re-Use

mlambert

Hey guys,
I've made a Connection class that returns a variable $conn that is the link identifier for this open connection. However, when I try store this as a Session value, and then use it in another page, I am getting error messages it is telling me it is an invalid reference/link identifier. Does anyone have any idea of how I could do this?
e.g. : Code Example

function Connection() {
$this->conn = mysql_connect(
$this->host, $this->username, this->password) ;
mysql_select_db($this->databaseName, $this->conn) ;
} // end connect()

function getConnection() {
return $this->conn ;
} // end getConnection()

Then storing :
$c1 = new Connection() ;
$conn = $c1->getConnection()

If I then store it as a Session variable :

$_SESSION['conn'] = $conn ;

and try to use this in another page, I am getting error messages.
Does anyone have any idea why this is so and/or a possible way around it? Or a better way of doing so?

GreyBoy

Im still fairly new to php, but I might have a suggestion. Instead of mysql_connect(), try mysql_pconnect(). I believe you would need a persistant connection to pass $conn as a session variable.

mlambert

Thanks man, but I still can't seem to get it to work. The variable is being passed, but it is not a valid link identifier as it was in the first page. Accessing this same variable that is stored in $_SESSION from another page seems to be changing it's value. If I print '$conn' in the first page, I get the correct 'Resource id #1' value, but from another page, this is merely showing up as '0'.

GreyBoy

What about just using the class as an include file. That way it would always be the same. Is there a reason why you are using a session???

mlambert

The class is my include file. I am instantiating the class, and then using the getConnection() method to erturn me a link identifier. It is this link identifier that I want to save in the Session Globals to re-use amongst other pages.

GreyBoy

why cant the link identifier be called from the include file??? Im still fairly new to php, so bare with me.

mlambert

ok. Firstly, to use a connection, it has to be instantiated. I can't use a link identifier unless a connection has firstly been set up. I was doing this via the class constructor. Therefore, each time I call the constructor, I am opening a new connection and creating a new link. This must happen or there is no connection and I cannot reference any link identifier. I want to be able to only create this connection object once and then pass the reference around. eg:
$c1 = new Connection() ; //sets up variable $conn as link id
$conn = $c1->getConnection() ; //returns the $conn variable

once I have done this, I want to be able to pass the $conn variable around without having to keep setting it up. (i.e. use it like a global variable). Including this file into each script will result in multiple connections being opened when I just want to use one.

GreyBoy

O ok, I guess I dont really know enuff yet to answer your question. I understand what you want do though. Sorry I couldnt help.

mlambert

Thanks anywayz man.... 🙂