Data store within a session and use it later until deleting the session

Question

Since days I have tried to solve a problem but it hasn't still succeeded so far.

The solution would be that I choose a number from 0 till 5 from a SELECT and in this case input fields appear depending on the numbers, e.g. if I choose 3 from the SELECT, 3 input fields can be seen.

After that I would like to store data in these input fields. The actual solution that with Ajax I transfer the data to PHP, which stores the given value in a session cookie. The problems begin from here.

I would like to implement if a user arrives my webpage stores some activities from the visitors which are used later if they visit the page again. The basic thought is that I use SESSION during their visiting time until they don't delete the cookies.

Once I did that PHP create the session and it is stored but if I reload the site, the session is lost.

Actually I would like to implement: - store the SELECT value in a SESSION till deleting it, so repeat visitor can be identified. - also store the input fields in a SESSION - if a guest visits the site again and e.g. the SELECT is 4, then in the SELECT number 4 be chosen and further 4 input fields appear with the stored values.

I don't think the PHP is the best solution... Could you help me?

Thanks for your all helps in advance.

Best Regards, Atti

<?php
session_start(); 
echo $_SESSION['gyk1'];
?>
<p id="gyszam"></p>
<div class="row">    
    Type
        <select name="type" id="type">
                <option name="gy0" value="0">0</option>
                <option name="gy1" value="1">1</option>
        </select>                    
</div>

<div class="row" id="gyk1">

<?php 
if (isset($_SESSION['gyk1'])) {
    $session_gyk1 = $_SESSION['gyk1'];
    echo "<input type='number' id='gy1' class='gykk1' name='gyn1' min='0' max='17' value='$session_gyk1' ><br>";

    } else {
    echo "<input type='number' id='gy1' class='gykk1' name='gyn1' min='0' max='17' /><br>";

    }
?>


</div>
<script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-latest.js"></script> 
<script>
    $(function() {
        $('#gyk1').hide(); 
        $('#type').change(function(){
            if($('#type').val() == '1') {
                $('#gyk1').show(); 
            } else {
                $('#gyk1').hide(); 
            } 
        });
    });

    $(function() {
        $("input#gy1.gykk1").change(function(){
            var gykk1 = $(this).val();


            $.ajax({
                type: "POST",
                url: "php.php",
                data: {gyk1: gykk1},
                success: function(records){
                    $("#gyszam").html((records));
                }       
            });
        });
    });

</script> 

PHP file:

<?php
session_start(); 
$gyk1 = $_POST['gyk1'];
$_SESSION['gyk1'] = $gyk1;
?>