Are there any specific guidelines or rules to follow when using session_start() in PHP to ensure proper functionality and avoid common pitfalls?

When using session_start() in PHP, it is important to call it at the beginning of the script before any output is sent to the browser. This ensures that session data can be properly stored and retrieved. It is also recommended to use session_regenerate_id() to prevent session fixation attacks and to set session cookie parameters for better security. 

<?php
session_start();

// Other PHP code here

session_regenerate_id(true);

// Set session cookie parameters for better security
session_set_cookie_params([
    'lifetime' => 3600,
    'path' => '/',
    'domain' => 'example.com',
    'secure' => true,
    'httponly' => true
]);
?>

Keywords

session_start PHP guidelines rules functionality

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