PHP Defining $varname changes $_SESSION['varname']

Question

It took me a while to realize that $_SESSION['user'] was changing because I have a variable set: $user = array();

Is this normal? I haven't had this issue until today, not sure if it is a server/php setting

Answer 1

Depends on how you set $_SESSION['user'].

If you are setting it by reference then it is tied to the variable you used to set it.

ie.

$_SESSION['user'] =& $user;

$user = array();

now $_SESSION['user'] is an empty array

Answer 2

Try turning off register_globals in your php.ini file.