Synchronize Php And Mysql Time Zones

By Author: Denis Richard
Total Articles: 18
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PHP and MySQL have default time zone configurations, as these are separate processes. There is no problem if a single web application is applied to the server. In that case, PHP or MySQL will take-up server time-settings and Php developers can work with ease.

The problem arises when:

Application is set to user’s time zone: User may have different time-zone as compared to process application installed upon your server. The difference creates problems in working

Running two applications with different time-zones: Two different applications with different time-zones on the same server will create conflict in their relative performance

Application installed on shared server and default time-zone can’t be set: shared server needs perfect synchronization by default and an application with a difference will definitely create conflict in performance process

Most developers solve problem by putting the responsibility on PHP. PHP developers sometimes convert dates to Unix timestamp integers. This enables simpler handling but there are chances of Y2K38 Bug by this shifting.

The drawbacks ...
... of shifting are:

• Additional work created for you
• Application requires extra processing to translate dates
• It gets hard to examine dates within a table
• Date-based queries become difficult
• Some functions on MySQL date/time function are not used properly, such as NOW()

The option to synchronize PHP and MySQL time is available now. Php application development will require single configuration variable to define Php time zone. This variable can be used to set PHP’s default time.

MySQL default time-zone can be set at the beginning of every session, after connecting to the database. This can be done by giving a simple command. The command should be set appropriately giving detailed attention to all the symbols. Any fault in command will create problem in settings.

Php web development is made easy after time-set. Php developers can calculate whole hours and minutes. The time-set process includes certain commands. First line determines whether the offset is negative or positive. All values are converted to positive number for easier calculations. Php developers give all the commands appropriately at one go and execute the command for right time.

If there is a problem; then there is a solution also. Php developers work upon their systems through efficient problem solving. It is preferred to do two-step calculation to set time and calculate always from GMT. This will maintain a uniform time. A small effort will erase time-related problem and maintain uniformity. Users get used to time-calculations with little practice.

Denis Richard is a professional technical writer who has expertise in php development and php application development.