Checking variable types - PHP

Lets now move on to variable types.  In other words, check the variable content to find if it is numeric or string type.  For example:

<form>
<INPUT name=somevar type=radio value=1>
<INPUT name=somevar type=radio value=2>
</form>
 
The somevar variable is numeric. And if you have:
 
<form>
<INPUT name=somevar type=radio value="1">
<INPUT name=somevar type=radio value="2">
</form>

The somevar variable is a string.  Please note the importance of quotes.

You can check whatever is a string or an integer using is_integer(value) function that returns true if value is an integer.  For example:

If (!is_integer($somevar)){
echo (" Hacking Attempt ");
exit;
}

It is quite common to assign small integer values to your variables in a form. In this case, it is useful to check if your variable is an integer or a string. However, please notice that all variables sent using GET method are strings unlike variables sent using POST method that can be either strings or integers.