Passing VARs in URL

zzz

I'm trying to pass a var in my URL. I sdecided I need to encode the vars using base64_encode. In order to change that parameter in the URL I decided to throw in some dynamically changing string, like time.

Here's the working code.

if (!mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers)) {
	$result = "failed";
} else {
	$result = "sent";
}
$timeNow = date("D M j G:i:s T Y"); // use for incrypting string
header("Location: ./mepage.php?val=".base64_encode("&msg=".$result."&t=".$timeNow)."");

Now, on the receiving side I need to get that $result value. Naturally I decode it by doing something like that:

if ($_GET['val'] != '') {
$receivedMsg = base64_decode($_GET['val']);
}

Now all I need is to extract that $result value. All of a sudden I can't think of how to get it. How do I do that?

zcketcher

Just curious why you wouldnt just do:

header("Location: ./mepage.php?msg=".base64_encode($result));

Then you could simply do :

$msg = base64_decode($_GET['msg']);

zzz

Living up to my signature...

zzz

on the other thought, I did that first, but it keeps the encoded string the same. I wanted the string to changes, that's why i've added time string.

Weedpacket

Why are you trying to pass encoded variables in the URL?

zzz

No particular reason. They were passed prior, but I decided I did not want to spell them out. Perhaps it'd be easier to just pass them with the session, hah?

Weedpacket

That would be simpler. No need to encrypt/decrypt them, no risk of their being corrupted by the client, no limitations on the size of URLs, no risk of outdated data being uploaded....

zzz

I don't have much experience with sessions but my guess I'd need to track that session once I retrieve the var, right? All I need is to pass a messages with the results of whether the message was sent or not and print a message for the customer. If it's in the session the message will stick around for a while, won't it?

How do I get to show the message once?

Weedpacket

Delete it when you're finished with it. unset($_SESSION['whateveritscalled'])