Title: Global variable reset in functions.php
Last modified: May 27, 2023

---

# Global variable reset in functions.php

 *  [ingridskard](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ingridskard/)
 * (@ingridskard)
 * [3 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/global-variable-reset-in-functions-php/)
 * I’m trying to extend my child theme’s `functions.php` with a handler for an AJAX
   call:
 *     ```wp-block-code
       $selection_has_changed = function () {
           check_ajax_referer( ACTION_NAME );
   
           $email = $_POST['email'];
           $checked = $_POST['checked'];
   
           $bulk_recipients[$email] = $checked;
           echo json_encode($bulk_recipients);
   
           die();
       };
       ```
   
 * Just adding or updating a key-value pair to global dict `$bulk_recipients`.
 * The dict is defined at the top of `functions.php` like so:
 *     ```wp-block-code
       $bulk_recipients = [];
       ```
   
 * After much testing I find that `$bulk_recipients` seems to be reset each time
   it enters `$selection_has_changed`. Ie it only ever outputs 1 key-vaue pair.
 * Is there some WordPress “magic” afoot causing this behavior?
 * Could it be an issue with `functions.php` lifecycle?
 * I’m a beginner dev in WordPress and PHP so sorry if this is a naive question.
 * TIA.
    -  This topic was modified 3 years ago by [ingridskard](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ingridskard/).
    -  This topic was modified 3 years ago by [ingridskard](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ingridskard/).
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fglobal-variable-reset-in-functions-php%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [3 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/global-variable-reset-in-functions-php/#post-16773552)
 * Every Ajax request is a new request where all vars are initialized anew. If you
   need a value to persist between requests it needs to be saved somewhere. The 
   options are:
    Keep track of it by passing the current value as an URL query string.
   Save it in a cookie. Save it in the DB, for example as a [transient](https://developer.wordpress.org/apis/transients/).
   Save it as a session var. Session vars in WP can cause issues if not implemented
   correctly. As a beginner, you may want to avoid this.
 *  Thread Starter [ingridskard](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ingridskard/)
 * (@ingridskard)
 * [3 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/global-variable-reset-in-functions-php/#post-16774322)
 * Thank you so much for the info and tips! Surprising to hear `functions.php` is
   initialized anew on each AJAX call, if I’m understanding you correctly.
 * I’m thinking to make a custom plugin to store the global in, if I can’t put it
   in a session var as the ideal solution would have one global per session. Thanks
   again!
 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [3 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/global-variable-reset-in-functions-php/#post-16774828)
 * You’re welcome. Not only is functions.php executed anew with every Ajax request,
   the entire WP environment is initialized anew for every HTTPS request of any 
   kind. If you’re curious about the nitty gritty of what happens with a typical
   request, look at the [query overview](https://codex.wordpress.org/Query_Overview).
 * If you choose to use session vars, be sure you properly close the session when
   you’re finished with it. Unclosed sessions are a large part of why people have
   difficulty with session vars in WP.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Global variable reset in functions.php’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Developing with WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/wp-advanced/)
 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * Last activity: [3 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/global-variable-reset-in-functions-php/#post-16774828)
 * Status: not resolved

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