cookies and not the chocolate ones

[SLEE]

right im dabbling with some php and I need to store some values in a cookie.
i will need to set 5 sets of values with 4 values for each set.
what is the best way to store them in a cookie?
should i set a different cookie for each set?
is there a limit to the amount of data you can store in a cookie?

[sarahA]

Sounds like you want to use an array.

The limit on size is down to the browser. Couldn't say what the limit it. Easiest way is to test it yourself

[SLEE]

thanks will do.
One further question, ive set up the cookie with one option for now to test it but when i click a link to activate it i need the page to refresh for it to work. i can use javascript but id rather not use that if i can.

[JasonD]

Cookies will be limited to the usable length of a http header (depends on server and browser, no limits are set by HTTP). All cookies share the same line, so one cookie or four cookies would make little difference.

This sort of thing is what sessions were made for.

[SLEE]

thanks Jason I managed to sort it out, i used one cookie and stored only what was needed at the time in the cookie which i should of thought about in the first place. one thing I have noticed though is that setting a cookie and reading it immediately does not always work so i think i need to do as you say and use a session and use the cookie for when the user comes back.

[JasonD]

$_COOKIE is set from the request and not updated, but there is nothing stopping you from doing $_COOKIE['foo'] = 'bar' along with setcookie('foo', 'bar') if you feel the need.

[SLEE]

Jason that was exactly what i needed! by using $_COOKIE['foo'] = 'bar' as well it works perfectly