$_SERVER information in PHP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the $_SERVER variable in PHP?

$_SERVER is a superglobal array in PHP that contains information about headers, paths, and script locations. It provides details about the server environment and the current request.

beginner

What does $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] represent?

It shows the HTTP method used to access the page, such as GET or POST. This tells you how the user sent data to the server.

intermediate

Explain $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'].

This contains information about the user's browser or client software. It helps identify what device or browser the visitor is using.

beginner

What information does $_SERVER['SERVER_NAME'] provide?

It gives the name of the server host that is running the script, usually the domain name or IP address.

intermediate

How can $_SERVER['SCRIPT_FILENAME'] be useful?

It shows the full path and filename of the currently executing script. This helps when you need to know exactly where your PHP file is located on the server.

Which $_SERVER key contains the IP address of the client?

A SERVER_ADDR

B HTTP_USER_AGENT

C REMOTE_ADDR

D SERVER_NAME

REMOTE_ADDR holds the IP address of the user visiting the page.

What does $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] represent?

A The client's browser type

B The full URL of the current page

C The server's root directory

D The URI which was given to access the page

REQUEST_URI is the URI (path and query) used to access the page, like /index.php?name=John.

Which $_SERVER key tells you the HTTP method used (GET, POST, etc.)?

A HTTP_METHOD

B REQUEST_METHOD

C METHOD_TYPE

D SERVER_METHOD

REQUEST_METHOD contains the HTTP method used for the request.

If you want to know the name of the script currently running, which $_SERVER key do you use?

A SCRIPT_NAME

B SCRIPT_FILENAME

C PHP_SELF

D SERVER_NAME

SCRIPT_NAME gives the path of the current script relative to the root, like /folder/script.php.

What does $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'] contain?

A The URL of the previous page that linked to the current page

B The IP address of the server

C The user's browser language

D The server software version

HTTP_REFERER shows the URL of the page that sent the user to the current page, if available.

Describe what kind of information you can get from the $_SERVER array in PHP and why it might be useful.

Think about what the server and browser tell your PHP script during a request.

Explain how you would use $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] in a PHP script that handles form submissions.

Consider how forms send data and how your script knows when to act.