Question

Ok, firstly this is not about forms this is about consistent layout as a user explores a site.

let me explain:

If we imagine a (non-ajax) digital camera online store, say someone was on the DSLR section and specified to view the cameras in Gallery mode and order by price. They then click onto the Compact camera’s page. It would be in the users interests if the ‘views’ they selected we’re carried over to this new page.

Now, i’d say use a session – am i wrong?

are there performance issues i should be aware of for a few small session vars ( ie view=1 , orderby=price) ?

Answer 1

Speaking of performances, there should not be much problems with either solutions.

Some things that have to be considered are :

• With GET, if an URL gets copy-pasted (in a email or MSN), the other who will receive the URL will have the same GET parameters
  • is that a good thing, or not ?
• On the other hand, session will not be shared, if an URL is copy-pasted
  • which means the first guy will say to the other “key, look at this“, and the second guy will not see the same page ;; same thing with bookmarking, should I add.
• GET is specific to each URL
  • While SESSION is shared accross all tabs of the user
  • Which means browsing with several tabs at the same time can cause troubles, when using Session, if you don’t take care of that