PHP session_start() function: Why I need it everytime I use anything related to PHP sessions

php session logout
sumit picture sumit · Apr 25, 2011 · Viewed 23.6k times · Source

For logging out a user from my website, I am redirecting the page to logout.php where I am using session_destroy() function. Even there also, logout functionality is not working without session_start() function. By adding session_start() function before session_destroy() function, I am able to logout the user successfully.

Why do I need to use session_start() function everytime and in every page where I am doing something related to sessions?

Answer

Pekka picture Pekka · Apr 25, 2011

Why do I need to use session_start() function everytime and in every page where I am doing something related to sessions?

So PHP knows which session to destroy. session_start() looks whether a session cookie or ID is present. Only with that information can you destroy it.

Related questions

How to unset a specific php session on logout

I have 2 sites. In one site this is true: session_is_registered('site1sess') and in the other one this is true: session_is_registered('site2sess') Those are the session names I give users on login. My problem is …

Read More
Remotely destroy a session in php (user logs in somewhere else)?

Hey, I'm trying to get my php website to basically "log out" (session_destroy()) when the same user logs in somewhere else. Is there a way to do this? To remotely destroy a specific session? Thank guys! Scott

Read More
How to detect if a user has logged out, in php?

After the user successfully logs in, I store login = true in database. But how do I check if the user logged out by closing the browser without clicking the logout button? And also, how do I redirect user who has …

Read More