query string and isset

[jonnyfolk]

Hi,

I normally program in perl and am trying to translate one of my scripts to php.

The following snippet doesn't set the variable and I thought it would!
What the script does is to redirect to a different script depending on whether a query exists, and depending on the existence of a parameter if there is a query string.

I would like to know why, when calling without a query $scriptrl is not being set, and also how do I query a parameter from a GET call (equivalent of CGI

$var = param('variable');

Thanks,
Jon

$query = $_SERVER["QUERY_STRING"];

if(! isset($query))
{
$scriptrl = 'g_search.php';
}

[webcodez]

EDIT: nvm.

Try:

if(!isset($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'])) 

or to check if it's empty:

if(empty($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'])) 

Not sure if this is what you mean?

As your script's if loop will always return true as before the loop you set the variable $query ( and the function isset is independent of whether a variable is empty or not, just cecks if it's set - it's set ).

[jonnyfolk]

I see - I hadn't realised that consequence. I chose the 'empty' option and it worked perfectly. Thanks.

Regarding the param from the GET call, eg script.php?var=one&var1=two&var2=three how to I get the var1 value?

[Orjan]

isset and empty is a little special and can not always be trusted, as some can be true even if they have the value 0 (zero). The safest way is actually to check with if ($var == "").

you get the var1 with $_GET['var1']

[webcodez]

Glad to hear that it's working now

@Orjan True, thanks for heading that up, I experienced that problem with the value '0' a while ago indeed, forgot about that but I think that was with isset function.
Not sure if this would be a problem in this case though.

And the GET var1 can indeed be accesed within the GET array with as sub-variable name 'var1', as in general it's:

$_GET['sub_variable_name'] 

So when adding a variable through url called 'var1' it automaticly is converted into a GET variable $_GET['var1'].

Cheers.

[John]

isset vs. empty John Ciacia

[jonnyfolk]

Thank you for your input. I appreciate the responses and will consider the information I've been given. A very interesting (and successful) first day on the boards!!

Jon