Session variable in CakePHP3

Question

I need to store some vital information (branch ID) when a user visits my website/app. This information should be available in every controller. What I do is this:

AppController.php

Configure::write('branch',$id);

FooController.php

$branchId = Configure::read('branch');

---

I'm not sure if this is the right way. Is this a session variable or just a config? Can this variable be overwritten by other users?

What I read in the Cookbook was, that I can use:

Configure::write('Session', [
    'defaults' => 'php'
]);

and then read the variable in any controller:

$this->request->session()->read('branch');

But where can I set 'branch'? Is this even possible in AppController?

Answer 1

Sessions is available everywhere you have access to the request object.

In other words, set your branch where you want (or where it's easy for you). For example, I think it's better for you to do something like this:.

In your App.php initialise your "Branch" value like this

Configure::write('branch',$id);

In your AppController , inside beforeFilter function check if the session exists, otherwise, use the config value like this

if(!$this->request->session()->read('branch')){
    $this->request->session()->write('branch', Configure::read('branch'));
}

And in your fooController just use $this->request->session()->read('branch'); and $this->request->session()->write('branch', 'value');

But you can also read and write the session inside View or Cell...

Hope it helps.