Creating javascript function to destroy php session

Question

I am having trouble figuring out how to create a javascript function that will destroy a php session. I have a clickable link that will call a function called destroyphpsess. I think this is all right so far. Now I need to define the javascript function. This is the code I have so far...

if ($_SESSION['color'] == "") {
    $var = "<a href='JavaScript:newPopup(\"http://www.yourfantasyfootballreality.com/register.php\");' class='two'>Register</a> | <a href='JavaScript:newPopup(\"http://www.yourfantasyfootballreality.com/signin.php\");' class='two'>Sign In</a>";
} else {
    $var = "Hello, ".$_SESSION['color'] ."! | " . "<a href=\"http://www.yourfantasyfootballreality.com/index.php\" onclick=\"destroyphpsess()\" class='two'>Log Out</a>";
}
echo $var;

Now I need to define the javascript function. This is where I am having trouble. This is the basic outline I have so far...

function destroyphpsess()
{
<?php
session_destroy();
?>
}

If someone could help me with the function I would appreciate it! Thanks.

Why dont you use ajax and call a page which will destroy the session — Broncha
– Broncha, Commented Jun 16, 2012 at 4:09

Brad · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-16 04:16:20Z

11

Your JavaScript runs client-side, and your PHP runs server-side. You can't call PHP functions from JavaScript this way. You have two options:

Do an AJAX call to a server-side script that clears the session data (recommended, for consistency and proper clearing of that stuff server-side)
Clear the PHPSESSID cookie with JavaScript (won't work if you reconfigure how you handle sessions, or if sessions are handled by URL parameters)

answered Jun 16, 2012 at 4:16

Brad

164k57 gold badges380 silver badges559 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Shoaib Over a year ago

I'm pretty sure you meant JavaScript runs client-side and PHP runs server-side.

secretformula · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-16 04:18:11Z

6

A PHP session generally uses a cookie that is stored client side. The following code will clear that cookie thus unlinking the session.

document.cookie = 'PHPSESSID=; expires=Thu, 01-Jan-70 00:00:01 GMT;';

answered Jun 16, 2012 at 4:18

secretformula

6,4324 gold badges35 silver badges56 bronze badges

13 Comments

J. Bruni Over a year ago

+1 I'd use session_destroy from an AJAX call... I would never thought of doing this through cleaning a cookie, but I liked the idea.

secretformula Over a year ago

That was my other thought, but yeah i was thinking all client side. This code will leave the session hanging on the server side until it expires

John Doe Over a year ago

where would i put this line of code? would i put it in the function?

secretformula Over a year ago

You would put this code at the point of which you want to end the session. This is javascript. So maybe put it in a logout event handler of something of that sort

John Doe Over a year ago

I want the user to be able to click on a link and for the session to instantly be destroyed while staying on the same page. So where would the above code go in reference to what I already have?

|

comfortablejohn · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-16 04:39:05Z

0

Everyone keeps saying AJAX. This would be a good idea if you want to clean up the cookie on the server side as well, but I think if you knew what AJAX was you probably would have used it already...

I found AJAX pretty confusing when I first came across it. So what I would suggest is having a look at and maybe using jQuery's AJAX functionality. Including jQuery for just one function is probably overkill, but it might be a bit easier.

answered Jun 16, 2012 at 4:39

comfortablejohn

6457 silver badges14 bronze badges

Comments

John Doe · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-14 01:17:54Z

0

Your JavaScript runs client-side, and your PHP runs server-side. You can't call PHP functions from JavaScript this way. You have two options:

Do an AJAX call to a server-side script that clears the session data (recommended, for consistency and proper clearing of that stuff server-side) Clear the PHPSESSID cookie with JavaScript (won't work if you reconfigure how you handle sessions, or if sessions are handled by URL parameters)

answered Jul 14, 2012 at 1:17

John Doe

2,0809 gold badges33 silver badges54 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Creating javascript function to destroy php session

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

13 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

13 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related