Session Object in ASP.NET using VB.
NET
1. What is the Session Object in ASP.NET (VB.NET)?
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The Session object allows you to store and retrieve user-specific data on the server side. It helps to maintain
state across web pages for the same user.
2. Adding Data to the Session Object
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Syntax:
Session("key") = value
Example:
Session("username") = "JohnDoe"
Session("loginTime") = DateTime.Now
3. Retrieving Data from the Session Object
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Syntax:
Dim variable As DataType = CType(Session("key"), DataType)
Example:
Dim username As String = CType(Session("username"), String)
Safe Retrieval:
If Session("username") IsNot Nothing Then
Dim user As String = Session("username").ToString()
End If
4. Removing Data from the Session
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Remove a specific item:
Session.Remove("username")
Clear all session data:
Session.Clear()
Abandon the session:
Session.Abandon()
5. Session Variables
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Example:
Session("cartItems") = 5
Session("theme") = "dark"
6. Session Identifiers
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Each session has a unique ID:
Dim sessionId As String = Session.SessionID
7. Properties and Methods of Session Object
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Properties:
- SessionID: Unique ID
- Count: Number of items
- IsNewSession: Indicates new session
- Timeout: Session timeout in minutes
Methods:
- Add(key, value): Add item
- Remove(key): Remove item
- Clear(): Remove all items
- Abandon(): End session
8. Full ASP.NET VB.NET Example (Web Forms)
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Default.aspx:
<asp:Label ID="lblOutput" runat="server" />
<asp:Button ID="btnClear" runat="server" Text="Clear Session" OnClick="btnClear_Click" />
<asp:Button ID="btnAbandon" runat="server" Text="Abandon Session" OnClick="btnAbandon_Click" />
Default.aspx.vb:
Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
Session("username") = "Alice"
If Session("visitCount") Is Nothing Then
Session("visitCount") = 1
Else
Session("visitCount") = CType(Session("visitCount"), Integer) + 1
End If
Dim name As String = Session("username").ToString()
Dim visits As Integer = CType(Session("visitCount"), Integer)
lblOutput.Text = "Hello, " & name & ". You've visited " & visits.ToString() & " times."
End Sub
Protected Sub btnClear_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
Session.Clear()
lblOutput.Text = "Session cleared."
End Sub
Protected Sub btnAbandon_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
Session.Abandon()
lblOutput.Text = "Session abandoned."
End Sub
9. Real-Life Use Cases
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- Login System
- Shopping Cart
- Theme Preference
- Form Wizard
10. Summary
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- Persistent
- User-specific
- Server-side
- Easy to use
- Flexible
