How cookies work in PHP - Quick Revision & Summary

Recall & Review

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What is a cookie in web development?

A cookie is a small piece of data stored on the user's computer by the web browser. It helps websites remember information about the user, like login status or preferences.

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How does a server send a cookie to a browser in PHP?

The server sends a cookie using the setcookie() function before any output is sent. This function sets the cookie name, value, and optional parameters like expiration time.

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Where are cookies stored and how are they sent back to the server?

Cookies are stored in the user's browser. When the browser makes a request to the same server, it sends the stored cookies automatically in the HTTP headers.

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What is the purpose of the cookie expiration time?

The expiration time tells the browser how long to keep the cookie. If no expiration is set, the cookie lasts only for the browser session and is deleted when the browser closes.

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How can you access a cookie value in PHP?

You can access cookie values using the $_COOKIE superglobal array with the cookie's name as the key, for example, $_COOKIE['username'].

Which PHP function is used to send a cookie to the browser?

A setcookie()

B cookie_send()

C send_cookie()

D cookie_set()

The correct function to send a cookie in PHP is setcookie().

Where are cookies stored after being sent by the server?

A On the user's browser

B On the server

C In the PHP script

D In the database

Cookies are stored on the user's browser and sent back to the server with each request.

What happens if you don't set an expiration time for a cookie?

A The cookie is stored on the server

B The cookie lasts forever

C The cookie lasts only for the browser session

D The cookie is deleted immediately

Without an expiration time, the cookie lasts only for the current browser session.

How do you access a cookie named 'user' in PHP?

A getcookie('user')

B $_COOKIE['user']

C cookie['user']

D $_SESSION['user']

Cookie values are accessed using the $_COOKIE array with the cookie name as the key.

When must you call setcookie() in a PHP script?

A Only inside functions

B After HTML content is printed

C Anywhere in the script

D Before any output is sent to the browser

Cookies must be sent before any output because they are part of HTTP headers.

Explain how cookies are created, stored, and sent back to the server in PHP.

Think about the journey of a cookie from server to browser and back.

Describe the role of cookie expiration time and what happens if it is not set.

Consider how long the cookie stays on the user's device.