Multi-User Profile Pages

[matrob]

I currently have a site that allows users to log and view personal workout information. When the user logs in, they are directed to their profile page. Currently, users have zero access to information by other users, so when they are directed to .../profile.php, the page is built using information from $_SESSION['user']. However, I am trying to change my site to allow users to view limited profiles of other users, with the eventual ability to add friends, send messages, etc., much like most forums or social networking sites. I see the url's in these sites being something similar to .../profile.php?user=381752 with the number being that user's user_id. This also seems similar to the php $_GET function, but as of yet I have not been able to figure out how to direct the user to the desired page... Any help would be appreciated.

[Orjan]

$_GET is not a function, but a global array containing all parameters sent through the URL. so if you have as your example, $_GET['user'] would contain the number 381752. then just query your database to show that user's info instead. something which could look like this:

// try if a user number is provided by URL
if ($_GET['user'] != "") {
  // If so, query that user and present limited info
  $result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '"
    .mysql_real_escape_string($_GET['user'])."'");
  $limited = true;
} else {
// If not, show the users own profile...
  $result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '"
    .mysql_real_escape_string($_SESSION['user'])."'");
 $limited = false;
}
// check if a user with that ID was found
if ($row = mysql_fetch_array($result) {
  // it was, output whatever
  echo $row['username']."s profile";
  echo $row['username']." is ".$row['age']." years old";
  if (!$limited) {
  // this is only on users own profile
    echo "account is valid until ".$row['paid-until'];
  }
} else {
  // no user with that id was found
  echo "No such user was found";
} 

[matrob]

Thank you. I think what I'm confused about is how to reach the user profile page. I know I could have a textbox in a form with a method="get" and use $_GET['textbox name'] but I don't know how else to do it. Obviously, I'm new to php.

[Alexander]

$_GET is purely accessable through the URL sent to the PHP script.

profile.php?user=381752 will fill the variable $_GET['user'] with the value 381752 in the PHP script. You can then use Orjan's example and access a user's profile if the $_GET is set. If not then display their own profile.

[Orjan]

you can easily also put an url as a normal link using get... like this:

<a href="index.php?user=381752">Link to user's profile</a>

which alsoc of course could be generated by php: (assuming the user's db info is already fetched in $row)

echo '<a href="index.php?user='.$row['id'].'">'.$row['name'].'</a>'; 

[matrob]

Ah got it working now. Thank you both!