How to read Windows's Environment variables from php using built-in webserver?

Question

I use Azure to deploy my code, so I'm using server's variables to save important settings (like client_id and client_secrets).

$_SERVER['APPSETTING_Imgur_Client_Id'];

Set Azure Application Environment variables

Azure $_SERVER

I would like to use the same mecanism in my development environnement (Windows), by setting Environnement variables (directly to windows) and use them in my app.

So I have defined 2 Windows Variables (system properties->Environment Variables->User Variables):

Set Windows's Evironment variables

But thoses variables aren't available through $_SERVER['APPSETTING_Imgur_Client_Id']; (with php -S [::]:80 index.php cmd). I got only default $_SERVER variables.

So I'm askying:

How to read thoses Windows's evironment variables with php?
If we can't how to add custom $_SERVER variables (without using the php application code).

I'm using:

PHP 7.1.10
&
Windows Server 2016

I have changed the locations of variables (now under System variables) and restarted my computer.

But after that, even with getenv('APPSETTING_Imgur_Client_Id'') or $_SERVER I can't access to my custom variables.

But with command line php -r 'var_export($_SERVER);' I can see my variables

If I want to edit my code, I clone the repo and launch the webserver from the local directory with php -S [::]:80 index.php. It seam that the php -S command doesn't pass windows environment.

Thanks you.

Edit: Solution:

use getenv see picture below:

Postman sample, with both user env and system env

@NineBerry Your answer was correct, getenv('somevar') works, not $_SERVER['somevar']. Should I roll back to previous question ? Or should I post an answer ? thanks a lot. — user8738918
– user8738918, Commented Dec 31, 2017 at 3:20

NineBerry · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-31 03:23:01Z

1

Use the getenv function.

Documentation at http://php.net/manual/en/function.getenv.php

Note that the variables set under system properties->Environment Variables->User Variables can not be seem by a web server when the web server runs under a different user account. You need to set the variables via system properties->Environment Variables-> System Variables (and then restart the web server to have them available)

edited Dec 31, 2017 at 3:23

answered Dec 31, 2017 at 1:56

NineBerry

28.8k4 gold badges68 silver badges104 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

user8738918 Over a year ago

I have changed the locations of variables (now under System variables) and restarted my computer. But after that, even with getenv('APPSETTING_Imgur_Client_Id'') or $_SERVER I can't access to my custom variables. Edit: But with command line php -r 'var_export($_SERVER);' I can see my variables

NineBerry Over a year ago

@user8738918 what exactly is your setup for testing your php code?

user8738918 Over a year ago

If I want to edit my code, I clone the repo and launch the webserver from the local directory with php -S [::]:80 index.php. So I have a php7 and a windows server 2016 (10.0.14393). It seam that the php -S command doesn't pass windows environment.

gzhegow Over a year ago

@user8738918 same problem. seems php loads "user env variables" instead of "system env variables", so when you run php from browser - it loads from user "default" with his own env, in case of you write "php -r" while you run CLI from your current user with your env. -- Still dont know how to load "system variables"

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to read Windows's Environment variables from php using built-in webserver?

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related