如何仅在Yii中为访客用户设置会话变量?

I want to set a session array variable for only guests users in Yii. I want that when the user runs the application an array should be created for him in session. Later I need that session array to push values to it when user adds items to the cart. The problem is I can't figure out where do I set that session variable?

I know if the user is being logged in then I can set that in User Identity using authenticate function:

$this->setState('cart',array()); 

or

Yii::app()->user->setState('cart',array());

But that works when the user logs in and authentication function is called. In my case the user will not login and will go to product purchase page where that session array should be available.

Any ideas? Please comment if further information is needed.

Why not just use the session directly? You do not have to use the setState for the Yii::app()->user to keep the cart. Just do a

Yii::app()->session['cart'] = array();

It does not matter if the user is logged in or not, he still has a session. Then just update Yii::app()->session['cart'].

That is what I do anyway.

if use

Yii::app()->session['cart'] = array(); 

error "Indirect modification of overloaded element of CDbHttpSession has no effect"

http://www.yiiframework.com/forum/index.php/topic/4262-multi-dimensional-arrays-in-session/