$_SERVER and server info

Learn server and request info (REQUEST_METHOD, HTTP_HOST) with $_SERVER.

$_SERVER and server info

The $_SERVER superglobal is an associative array holding information about the server and the request. Common keys include REQUEST_METHOD (request method), HTTP_HOST (host name), PHP_SELF (running script path), REMOTE_ADDR (client IP) and QUERY_STRING (URL query).

A web server fills these values. In CLI only some are present; for testing you can set them yourself, for example $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] = 'POST';.

REQUEST_METHOD tells the method

The $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] key returns the request method as a string: 'GET', 'POST', 'PUT' or 'DELETE'. Form submissions use POST; plain page visits use GET.

By checking the method, the same script can both render a form and handle its submission. Example: if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') { /* handle form */ }. The strict === keeps type safety.

Exercise Set $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] and print it

Add the line $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] = "POST";. Then write echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] . "\n";.

Show example solution

First set $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] = "POST";, then write echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] . "\n";.
Example solution:
<?php
// Set $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] and print it
$_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] = "POST";
echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] . "\n";

Test yourself

Match the $_SERVER key to its meaning

REQUEST_METHOD

Request method
HTTP_HOST

Host name
PHP_SELF

Script path
REMOTE_ADDR

Client IP
Which is a valid $_SERVER key?
- REQUEST_METHOD
- FORM_METHOD
- POST_TYPE
- GET_TYPE
Show answer

REQUEST_METHOD — Correct. REQUEST_METHOD is the $_SERVER key that holds the request method.

Complete the $_SERVER access

echo $_SERVER[____];

Show answer

echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'];

Next lesson: Everything with $_REQUEST

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