How can I tell it is a refresh request?

blackhorse

Hi, I want a page acts differently if it is a refresh rather than refer.

So what is the best way to tell it is a refresh request?

I am thinking some of the $_SERVER variables or some javascript can plan the trick?

Thanks!

leatherback

I think there is a $_SERVER['referrer'] that should hold the last page visited. Otherwise you could store which page is being showed in a session, and when the person requests the same page as the last page treat it as a refresh.

blackhorse

tested $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERRER'], when refresh, it is still giving the previous refer page.

leatherback

please post some code

Kudose

You could set a session variable as leatherback suggested.

if(!isset($_SESSION['lastPage']))
  $_SESSION['lastPage'] = $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'];
elseif($_SESSION['lastPage'] == $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'])
  die('refresh detected');

blackhorse

Kudose, thanks!

This approach has a small issue.

Say test.php is the page I want to detect if it is refresh or refer.

So first access, it was refer and session set up as your code. But if the client then leave this test.php goes to some other pages and then browse back (by refer) to this test.php again. But this second time access, due to the session value set up and tested, I would assume it is a refresh not a refer (but actually it was a refer.)

Unless I put these codes in every page of the site to continue reset up the lastPage value or at least I have to put these codes in the page linked to test.php, all the refer after the first access will be considered as refresh.

leatherback

if you are thinking about issues with refreshing a form, you could just store a random number in a session, pop it in the form. after form submit, upun succesfull submissin you reset the var

blackhorse

I am consider Kudose's solution. To solve the problem I am facing

I would use two pages. Say test.php is the page that I would test the refresh or not. So any links to test.php, I would make it to link to test1.php. And test1.php only do two things. Set up the lastPage session value and then redirect it to test.php.

So for the refer access after the first access, lastPage value was reset to test1.php, so the test.php can still tell it is a refer not mistaken it as a refresh?

Is this a solution? Are there any simple solutions that I don't have to use 2 pages here, test1.php to redirect to test.php?

blackhorse

leatherback wrote:
if you are thinking about issues with refreshing a form, you could just store a random number in a session, pop it in the form. after form submit, upun succesfull submissin you reset the var

No, not a form issue.