php. Trying to access $_SESSION variables gives index error

Question

Trying to access $_SESSION['key'] gives me index error.

I need to check if $_SESSION['loggedin'] is set to true in order to display a login/logout button.

//GENERAL IDEA 
if( $_SESSION['loggedin'] == true ){
    //log out 
}else{
    //log in
}

But its ALWAYS executing the else and displaying the login button.

After a while, I tried to echo the $_SESSIONS['loggedin'] value and I get an index error. Checking isset() on the $_SESSION returns false.

So I think the problem is that my $_SESSION['loggedin'] isnt working like I think.

I do have:

session_start() at the top of my file.
.php extensions on all my files.

login.php creates $_SESSION['loggedin'] if successfully login in. (I know I am successfully loggedin bc I am getting redirected.)

if( $_POST['username'] == "myUSER" && $_POST['password'] == "myPASSWORD" ){
    $_SESSION['loggedin'] == true;
    header( "location: ../main/home.php" );
    exit;
}else {
    $bad_login == true;
}

Authentication.php loggedin() class function checks if $_SESSION['loggedin'] isset and true to return true

public static function loggedin(){
    return ( isset( $_SESSION['loggedin'] ) && $_SESSION['loggedin'] == true );
}

_template.php contains the button display in the footer section. ( I copied my whole template file in here bc I want to point out that my start_session() is located at the top of my home.php file BUT I don't think that makes a difference. Or maybe its easier to notice my fault if the whole file is copied. )

<?php
$page_name = basename( $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']);
$page_name_parts = explode( '.', $page_name );
?>

<!DOCTYPE html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>Title</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">
</head>

<body>
    <div class="container-fluid">

        <header>
            <h1 id="top">Heading</h1>
        </header>

        <?php
            //Flash::show_flash();
            require( $page_name_parts[0] . ".view.php" );
        ?>

        <footer>
            <!-- Login button -->
            <?php require_once( "../lib/Authentication.php" ); ?>
            <?php if( Authentication::loggedin() ): ?>
                <a href=" ../authentication/logout.php"><button class="btn1">Logout</button></a>
            <?php else : ?>
                <a href=" ../authentication/login.php"><button class="btn1">Login</button></a>
            <?php endif ?>

            <!-- Scroll TOP -->
            <a href="#top"><span></span>Top</a>
        </footer>
    </div>
</body>

</html>

It happens when $_SESSION['loggedin'] is not set. What you should do is check if index isset if(isset($_SESSION['loggedin']) && $_SESSION['loggedin']) { //you are logged in} else { //not logged in} — hywak

junkfoodjunkie junkfoodjunkie · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-20T17:04:28

You don't set the $_SESSION['loggedin'], you test if it's true. Change the == to =.

php. Trying to access $_SESSION variables gives index error

3 Answers