PHP $_GET and $_POST

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$_GET and $_POST serve as PHP superglobals which act as built-in associative arrays to automatically gather data from submitted HTML forms.

 

Superglobal Description
$_GET collects data transmitted through the URL using the query string method.
$_POST fetches data transmitted through the HTTP POST method

Using $_GET

HTML Form (GET Method)

<form action="get_example.php" method="GET">
  Name: <input type="text" name="username">
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

PHP Script: get_example.php

<?php
$name = $_GET['username'];
echo "Hello, $name!";
?>

URL after submission

http://example.com/get_example.php?username=Alice

Using $_POST

HTML Form (POST Method)

<form action="post_example.php" method="POST">
  Name: <input type="text" name="username">
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

PHP Script: post_example.php

<?php
$name = $_POST['username'];
echo "Hello, $name!";
?>
notepad
  • All the data remains hidden from the URL.
  • More secure and better for passwords, login, and large data

Difference between $_GET and $_POST

Feature $_GET $_POST
Data Visibility Visible in URL Hidden from URL
Max Length Limited by URL length No significant limit
Use Case Search, filters, navigation Login forms, file uploads, etc.
Security Less secure (data in URL) More secure (data in body)
Bookmarkable Yes No
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