Setting and reading cookies in PHP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

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.

beginner

How do you set a cookie in PHP?

You use the setcookie() function. For example: setcookie('user', 'Alice', time() + 3600); sets a cookie named 'user' with value 'Alice' that expires in 1 hour.

beginner

How do you read a cookie value in PHP?

You read cookies from the $_COOKIE superglobal array. For example: $user = $_COOKIE['user'] ?? 'Guest'; gets the 'user' cookie or 'Guest' if it doesn't exist.

intermediate

What must you remember about when to call setcookie() in PHP?

You must call setcookie() before any output is sent to the browser, because it sends HTTP headers. If you print or echo anything first, setting cookies will fail.

intermediate

How can you delete a cookie in PHP?

To delete a cookie, set it with an expiration time in the past. For example: setcookie('user', '', time() - 3600); tells the browser to remove the 'user' cookie.

Which PHP function is used to set a cookie?

A cookie_set()

B setcookie()

C set_cookie()

D cookie()

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

Where are cookies stored?

A On the user's computer

B On the web server

C In the PHP script

D In the database

Cookies are stored on the user's computer by the web browser.

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

A $_SESSION['session']

B getcookie('session')

C $_COOKIE['session']

D cookie('session')

Cookies are accessed using the $_COOKIE array, like $_COOKIE['session'].

What happens if you call setcookie() after outputting HTML?

A The cookie will be deleted

B Cookie will be set normally

C PHP will automatically buffer output and set cookie

D Cookie will not be set because headers are already sent

Cookies require HTTP headers, so calling setcookie() after output causes failure.

How do you delete a cookie named 'user'?

A setcookie('user', '', time() - 3600);

B unset($_COOKIE['user']);

C setcookie('user', null);

D delete_cookie('user');

To delete a cookie, set it with an expiration time in the past using setcookie().

Explain how to set and read a cookie in PHP with an example.

Think about how you tell the browser to save data and then how you get it back.

What are the important rules to remember when working with cookies in PHP?

Consider timing and how cookies expire or get removed.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using cookies in PHP?

easy

A. To store small pieces of data on the user's computer

B. To execute server-side scripts

C. To connect to a database

D. To style the webpage

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what cookies do

   Cookies save small data on the user's computer to remember information like preferences or login status.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   Among the options, only storing small data on the user's computer matches the purpose of cookies.

3. Final Answer:

   To store small pieces of data on the user's computer -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Cookies = store small data [OK]

Hint: Cookies save small data on user devices [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing cookies with server-side code execution
• Thinking cookies connect to databases
• Assuming cookies control webpage style

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set a cookie named user with value John in PHP?

easy

A. setcookie('user', 'John');

B. cookie_set('user', 'John');

C. set_cookie('user', 'John');

D. setcookie(user, John);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct function name and syntax

   The PHP function to set cookies is setcookie(), which takes the cookie name and value as strings.

2. Step 2: Check the options for correct syntax

   Only setcookie('user', 'John'); uses the correct function name and quotes around name and value.

3. Final Answer:

   setcookie('user', 'John'); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use setcookie() with quoted strings [OK]

Hint: Use setcookie() with quotes around name and value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong function names like cookie_set or set_cookie
• Not quoting the cookie name and value
• Confusing cookie setting with reading

3. What will be the output of the following PHP code if the cookie color is set to blue?

<?php
if (isset($_COOKIE['color'])) {
    echo $_COOKIE['color'];
} else {
    echo 'No color set';
}
?>

medium

A. color

B. No color set

C. Error: Undefined index

D. blue

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if the cookie 'color' exists

   The code uses isset() to check if $_COOKIE['color'] is set. Since the cookie is set to 'blue', this condition is true.

2. Step 2: Output the cookie value

   Because the cookie exists, the code echoes its value, which is 'blue'.

3. Final Answer:

   blue -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Cookie exists, so output its value [OK]

Hint: Check isset before reading cookie to avoid errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming cookie is not set and printing default
• Not using isset and causing undefined index error
• Confusing cookie name with its value

4. Identify the error in this PHP code that tries to read a cookie named session:

<?php
echo $_COOKIE['session'];
?>

medium

A. Cookie name should be uppercase

B. Wrong function used to read cookie

C. Missing check if cookie exists before reading

D. Cookies cannot be read in PHP

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand cookie reading best practice

   Directly accessing $_COOKIE['session'] without checking if it exists can cause an undefined index notice if the cookie is not set.

2. Step 2: Identify the missing check

   The code should use isset($_COOKIE['session']) before echoing to avoid errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing check if cookie exists before reading -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Always check isset() before reading cookie [OK]

Hint: Always check isset() before using $_COOKIE values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring isset() check causing warnings
• Thinking cookie names are case sensitive in $_COOKIE
• Believing cookies cannot be read in PHP

5. You want to set a cookie named theme with value dark that expires in 7 days. Which code correctly sets this cookie?

hard

A. setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() + 60);

B. setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60);

C. setcookie('theme', 'dark', 7);

D. setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() - 7 * 24 * 60 * 60);

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate expiration time for 7 days

   7 days in seconds = 7 * 24 hours * 60 minutes * 60 seconds = 604800 seconds.

2. Step 2: Use time() plus 7 days for expiration

   The expiration parameter in setcookie() should be current time plus 604800 seconds.

3. Step 3: Check options for correct expiration

   setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60); correctly uses time() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60. setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() + 60); sets only 60 seconds, C uses 7 (invalid), D sets a past time (cookie expires immediately).

4. Final Answer:

   setcookie('theme', 'dark', time() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60); -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Expire = now + 7 days in seconds [OK]

Hint: Expire time = time() + days * 86400 seconds [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using small numbers like 7 or 60 instead of seconds
• Setting expiration in the past
• Forgetting to add time() to expiration