What is the difference between HTTP_HOST and SERVER_NAME in PHP?
HTTP_HOST: It is fetched from HTTP request header obtained from the client request
Example:
Website: https://www.zambiatek.com HTTP_HOST: www.zambiatek.com
HTTP_SERVER: It is fetched from the server name based on the host configuration.
Example:
Website: https://www.zambiatek.com HTTP_SERVER: Display the server name
| HTTP_HOST | SERVER_NAME |
|---|---|
| It retrieve the request header from the client. | It retrieve the server configuration. |
| It is not reliable since its value can be modified. | It is more reliable as its value comes from server configuration. |
| Syntax: $_SERVER[‘HTTP_HOST’] | Syntax: $_SERVER[‘SERVER_NAME’] |
| It gives the domain name of the host where the request is fulfilled. | It gives the server name specified in host configuration. |
| Example: localhost:8080 | Example: www.google.com |
| It is based on request from client. | It is based on configuration of web server. |
| As it is directly related to request so it is used in most of the applications. | It does not give any information about the request at all. |
| It is taken from the target host. | It is taken from server configuration. |
| It is client controlled value. | It is server controlled value |
| http://www.google.com HTTP_HOST: www.google.com |
http://www.google.com HTTP_SERVER: google.com |
Example of HTTP_HOST:
<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?> |
Output:
It display the host name.
Example of HTTP_SERVER:
<?php echo $_SERVER['SERVER_NAME']; ?> |
Output:
It display the server name.
Note: In case of localhost, HOST and SERVER name both will same.
