make a php variable available to all pages

[alsinha]

im trying to make a variable available to all pages in my application.
i tried using Sessions but it doesnt work....Any ideas ?

session_start()
$name="crap";
$user= $_SESSION['$name'];

but when i echo $user in the same file...it doesnt contain the value("crap")....what am i doing wrong ?

[wintertong]

session_start()
$SESSION["name"]="crap";
$user=$SESSION["name"];

That should work!

[alsinha]

thanks! it worked...but it shows a warning:
Warning: Cannot send session cookie - headers already sent by (output started at c:\phpdev\www\abc.php:10) in c:\phpdev\www\abc.php on line 11

Warning: Cannot send session cache limiter - headers already sent (output started at c:\phpdev\www\abc.php:10) in c:\phpdev\www\abc.php on line 11

Line 11 is : session_start();

and then how would i use the $user in another php file ?

[n_wattam]

dont quote me on this as i have only messed with sessions a little, but i was under the understanding that start session must be the first line.

[wintertong]

You are best to create another file (i.e functions.php) In there put your session_start() . . . at the top.

Then include this file in all your web pages where you want to recall $user or other vars

require_once(functions.php);

[stewartship]

just to confirm that n_wattam is correct the session_start() has to be at the very beginning, as php sends headers straight away at beginning of script.

[alsinha]

thanks guys !
got rid of the warnings by placing the session_start() at the top of the page
Is there another way to use the same variable in two php files to what wintertong advised ?