RE: [PHP-DB] Re: Using $_SESSION array for large number of variables. Any recommendations?

Hi, I would suggest a mysql table for the data. For large amounts it is probably more efficient - not sure how much resource is needed to manage 100K pieces of information using $_SESSION, but an indexed mysql table is probably much quicker. table CREATE TABLE session_data ( userID VARCHAR( 20 ) NOT NULL , var_name VARCHAR( 100 ) NOT NULL , var_data VARCHAR( 250 ) NOT NULL , PRIMARY KEY ( userID , var_name ) ); you then retrieve the data at the beginning of each page request. This is also persistent, so it will be there for as long as needed. If you have a login system this also allows the user to switch machines or browsers - $_SESSION is linked to the browser. From experience this works well. hth Peter ----------------------------------------------- Excellence in internet and open source software ----------------------------------------------- Sunmaia Birmingham UK www.sunmaia.net tel : 0121-242-1473 fax : 0870 7621758 International +44-121-242-1473 ----------------------------------------------- > -----Original Message----- > From: Jimmy Brock [mailto:jimmybrock@yahoo.com] > Sent: 26 April 2004 00:48 > To: php-db@lists.php.net > Subject: [PHP-DB] Re: Using $_SESSION array for large number of > variables. Any recommendations? > > > I would recommend cookies, not session. > > Cookies are stored on the users machine, whereas session data is stored on > the server. If you have a power failure or have to reboot the > server session > data will be lost -- since session data is stored in memory. > > "Ross Honniball" <ross@bookshop.jcu.edu.au> wrote in message > news:6.0.0.22.1.20040425182335.01c17e40@bookshop2.jcu.edu.au... > > Hi all, > > > > System : Windows XP / Apache / MySql / PHP > > > > I'm considering using session variables to store a large amount of data. > > How much is 'large'? To be honest, I have no idea at this point - very > > early days. > > > > For arguments sake, lets say the system consisted of 100 users who will > all > > store between them say 1000 different variables and objects for a period > of > > 1 or 2 days. > > > > In a nutshell, reason for storing this info is to save the state of php > > programs. > > > > Is this approach advisable, or are there limits / other considerations > when > > using session variables? > > > > I would greatly appreciate peoples comments on potential > problems pursuing > > this approach from anyone with extensive experience using session vars. > > > > Thanks ... Ross > > > > . Ross Honniball JCU Bookshop Cairns Supervisor > > . James Cook Uni, McGreggor Rd, Smithfield, Qld. 4878, Australia > > . Ph:07.4042.1157 Fx:07.4042.1158 Em:ross@bookshop.jcu.edu.au > > . There are no problems. Only solutions. > > -- > PHP Database Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > >