


How do I store data in a session using the $_SESSION superglobal?
Jun 25, 2025 am 01:07 AMTo store data in a session using $_SESSION in PHP, first call session_start() before any output. Then assign values to keys in the $_SESSION array. 1. Start the session with session_start() at the script's beginning. 2. Store data using key-value pairs like $_SESSION['key'] = value. 3. Access or modify data across requests by referencing the keys. 4. Remove specific items with unset() or clear all using session_unset() and session_destroy(). 5. Follow security best practices such as regenerating session IDs and avoiding sensitive data storage.
To store data in a session using the $_SESSION
superglobal in PHP, you first need to start or resume a session with session_start()
, and then assign values to keys in the $_SESSION
array.
Start the Session
Before storing any session data, you must call session_start()
at the beginning of your script. This function either starts a new session or resumes an existing one based on the session ID sent via cookies or URL parameters.
<?php session_start();
This line should appear before any output is sent to the browser — even a single space or newline can cause errors.
Common mistakes:
- Forgetting to call
session_start()
before accessing$_SESSION
- Having whitespace or output before the opening
<?php
tag
Store Data Using Key-Value Pairs
Once the session has started, you can store data by assigning values to keys in the $_SESSION
array:
$_SESSION['username'] = 'john_doe'; $_SESSION['user_id'] = 123;
These values will persist across requests as long as the session remains active.
Tips for organizing session data:
- Use meaningful keys (e.g.,
'user_role'
,'cart_items'
) - Avoid storing large amounts of data — sessions are not meant for heavy storage
- Consider grouping related data into nested arrays if needed:
$_SESSION['user'] = [ 'id' => 123, 'name' => 'john_doe', 'role' => 'member' ];
Access and Modify Stored Data
You can access stored session data on subsequent pages by again calling session_start()
and referencing the key:
echo 'Welcome back, ' . $_SESSION['username'];
To update a value, just reassign it:
$_SESSION['username'] = 'jane_doe';
And to remove a specific item from the session:
unset($_SESSION['username']);
If you want to clear all session data entirely:
session_unset(); // Clears all session variables session_destroy(); // Destroys the session
Keep in mind that session_destroy()
doesn't remove session variables until you reload the page or restart the session.
Keep Security in Mind
Sessions are server-side, so they're more secure than cookies, but there are still good practices to follow:
- Regenerate session IDs after login using
session_regenerate_id(true)
to prevent session fixation. - Set appropriate session cookie settings like
httponly
,secure
, and domain/path restrictions usingsession_set_cookie_params()
before starting the session. - Don’t store sensitive information like passwords in session data unless absolutely necessary and well protected.
That's how you use $_SESSION
to store data. It’s straightforward once the session is properly started — just keep track of what you store and clean up when it’s no longer needed.
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