What differences (if any) are there between JFactory::getSession() and $mainframe->getSession()?

Question

As the title states, I'm interested in knowing what differences there are (if any) between JFactory::getSession() and $mainframe->getSession()

This question was inspired by Retrieve joomla session from within a module

If possible, I'd also like suggestions on how I could find out this information for myself in the future (please don't say google!)

Answer 1

The global variable $mainframe was remove in Joomla 1.6 and therefore will not work from that version onwards.

global $mainframe should be replaced with $mainframe = JFactory::getApplication(); but most people tend to use $app instead.

So you code should be like this:

$app = JFactory::getApplication();
$app->getSession();

Hope this helps

Answer 2

As for ressources about $mainframe:

• http://docs.joomla.org/J2.5:What's_new_in_Joomla_2.5
• http://docs.joomla.org/Adapting_a_Joomla_1.5_extension_to_Joomla_1.6#Global_Variables_.28.24option_and_.24mainframe.29_are_Gone

(Found using Google)