Let's analyze this code:
Line one tells the server we're talking in PHP code. Line two opens our data file, counter.txt. Line three writes our new variables, sent by Flash, over our old data file. $count inserts the variable count which was passed by Flash, and &loaded=1 adds our extra test variable, loaded. Line four saves and closes counter.txt. Line five tells the server we're no longer talking in PHP code.

Now you need to upload all your files, except for your Flash source file (counter.fla) to your PHP compatible web-server and set their permission appropriately: counter.php3 must have read, write and execute access for this counter to work correctly. You can change access levels using the CHMod command. Contact your web host for further details about how to use CHMod.
Note also that you can't run this counter on you local machine to test it, unless you are running a web-server program such as Microsoft Personal Web Server. If you try to open the file in your browser, nothing will happen. This is for two main reasons. Firstly, you cannot use the no-cache string we used in keyframe one without running a web server locally. Secondly PHP will only run on computers with the proper modules installed: if you wish to run PHP at home, grab a copy from www.php.net for free.

Now on your server, Chmod the php file to 665 (-rw-rw-r-x) and the text file to 666 (-rw-rw-rw-) and run it.

That's it! You should have a working counter which increments each time you get a hit on your flash file.

If you don't check all your code, then consider these other possibilities:

• Most hosts support the .php3 extension for PHP but some may be strict and require another extension (such as .php). If this is the case your script will not execute because it is not recognized by the serve as server-code. You must rename your script .php (or whatever is appropriate, check your server documentation) and also change all references to .php3 in the Actionscript to .php (or whatever is appropriate).
  
  
• Have you set your permissions correctly? The directory in which counter.php and counter.txt reside on your server must have the appropriate access permission at the client level. If you are using FTP or Telent to upload your files you can type:
  chmod counter.txt 666
  chmod counter.php3 665

Jesse Stratford is the Co-Master of ActionScript.org and a freelance Flash developer and teacher. He is based in Australia and enjoys all things Flash. NB: If you have comments or feedback please feel free to email me, but please do not email me Flash questions; the forums are provided for that purpose and you will get a faster answer by posting you question there.

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