Problems with the native session

[eluser]TheFuzzy0ne[/eluser]
The CI session library couldn't be any easier if it tried.

Code:

$this->session->set_userdata('some_key', 'some_value'); # Sets userdata.
$this->session->userdata('some_key'); # Returns the userdata wih the specified key.
$this->session->unset_userdata('some_key'); # Unsets the userdata.
$this->session->all_userdata(); # Retrieves the entire userdata array.

That's pretty much all you need to know. Then there's flashdata:

Code:

$this->session->set_flashdata('some_key', 'some_value'); # Set data to be available on the next request only.
$this->session->keep_flashdata('some_key'); # Extends the lifespan by one request.

The library has been made to make things easier for you. One of the best things I love about this, is that I can do something like this:

Code:

$data = $this->session->userdata('value_that_doesnt_exist');

And if it doesn't exist, FALSE will be returned. Doing the same thing with native sessions would result in a PHP notice unless you did this:

Code:

$data = (isset($_SESSION['value_that_doesnt_exist']) ? $_SESSION['value_that_doesnt_exist'] : FALSE;

I think it's clear which one is better here.