PHP variable not updating when $_GET exists

Question

I have a PHP variable that I am trying to be able to update by means of a $_GET request, but the first time the page is loaded, it isn't updated. After the initial page load, if I reload the page again, it is updated. Why won't it work the first time?

PAGE.PHP:

$name = 'Bob';

include('start.php');

echo $name;

START.PHP:

if isset($_GET['name']) {
  $name = $_GET['name'];
}

Example: page.php?name=Mary

@holpducki No. It's just the first time the page is visited, it will display "Bob". If I refresh the page, it will then show "Mary", but only after a refresh. — MultiDev
– MultiDev, Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 20:37
At least through 5.6.9, START.PHP won't compile. I strongly suspect caching is at play, since the PHP in start isn't running. — bishop
– bishop, Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 20:38
If you are to continue developing in PHP please turn on error reporting to make troubleshooting easier. Add this to the top of you scripts: error_reporting(E_ALL); ini_set('display_errors', 1); — Dan
– Dan, Commented Jun 9, 2015 at 20:41

Marc B · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-09 20:37:57Z

3

Your start file has a syntax error, therefore the code never gets executed.

if (isset($_GET['name'])) {
   ^--------------------^--- missing

e.g.:

php > if isset($foo) { echo 'foo'; }
PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected 'isset' (T_ISSET), expecting '(' in php shell code on line 1
php > if (isset($foo)) { echo 'foo'; }
php >

answered Jun 9, 2015 at 20:37

Marc B

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1 Comment

alexandreferris Over a year ago

But why it gets executed the second time OP reloads the page?

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