---
title: "$GLOBALS"
manual: "TYPO3 Explained"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:globals-variables@main"
source: "Configuration/GlobalVariables.rst"
rendered: "2026-09-23T17:05:17+00:00"
---

# $GLOBALS {#globals-variables}

> [!NOTE]
> **See also**
>
> Most global variables described here can be viewed in module
> **System > Configuration**:
> [Exploring global variables in array $GLOBALS](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:globals-exploring@main)

-   **TYPO3_CONF_VARS**

    -   *Type:* array
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `typo3/sysext/core/Configuration/DefaultConfiguration.php`
    -   *Frontend:* yes

    TYPO3 configuration array. Please refer to the chapter
    [System configuration in settings.php](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:typo3confvars@main) where each
    option is described in detail.

    Most values in this array can be accessed through the tool
    **System > Settings > Configure Installation-Wide Options**.

## TCA {#globals-tca}

-   **TCA**

    -   *Type:* array
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\Bootstrap::loadExtensionTables()`
    -   *Frontend:* Yes, partly

    See [TCA Reference](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-tca/main/en-us/Index.html#start)

## T3_SERVICES {#globals-t3-services}

-   **T3_SERVICES**

    -   *Type:* array
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\SystemEnvironmentBuilder::initializeGlobalVariables()`
    -   *Frontend:* Yes

    Global registration of [services](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:services-introduction@main).

## TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS {#globals-typo3-user-settings}

-   **TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS**

    -   *Type:* array
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `typo3/sysext/setup/ext_tables.php`

    <!-- TODO: no Markdown rendering for "deprecated" -->

    See: Migration from addFieldsToUserSettings to addUserSetting

## BE_USER {#globals-be-users}

-   **BE_USER**

    -   *Type:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Authentication\BackendUserAuthentication`
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\Bootstrap::initializeBackendUser()`
    -   *Frontend:* (depends)

    Backend user object. See [Backend user object](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:be-user@main).

## EXEC_TIME {#globals-exec-time}

-   **EXEC_TIME**

    -   *Type:* int
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\SystemEnvironmentBuilder::initializeGlobalTimeTrackingVariables()`
    -   *Frontend:* yes

    Is set to `time()` so that the rest of the script has a common value
    for the script execution time.

    > [!NOTE]
    > Should not be used anymore, rather use the
    > [DateTime Aspect](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:context-api-aspects-datetime@main).

## SIM_EXEC_TIME {#globals-sim-exec-time}

-   **SIM_EXEC_TIME**

    -   *Type:* int
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\SystemEnvironmentBuilder::initializeGlobalTimeTrackingVariables()`
    -   *Frontend:* yes

    Is set to `$GLOBALS['EXEC_TIME']` but can be altered later in the script if we
    want to simulate another execution-time when selecting from e.g. a
    database (used in the frontend for preview of future and past dates)

    > [!NOTE]
    > Should not be used anymore, rather use the
    > [DateTime Aspect](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:context-api-aspects-datetime@main).

## LANG {#globals-lang}

-   **LANG**

    -   *Type:* `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Localization\TranslatorInterface`
    -   *Path:* $GLOBALS
    -   *Defined:* is initialized via `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Localization\LanguageServiceFactory`
    -   *Frontend:* no

    > [!WARNING]
    > **Attention**
    >
    > It is discouraged to use this variable directly. The
    > `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Localization\LanguageServiceFactory`
    > should be used instead to retrieve the translator.

    The `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Localization\TranslatorInterface` can be used to fetch
    translations.

    More information about retrieving the
    `\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Localization\TranslatorInterface` is available in
    [Localization in PHP](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:extension-localization-php@main).