How to keep Data persistent between web apps. - Repost from Midrange List

I am just now starting to program for the web.  I am running V5R1 (with all
current ptf's)  I am working through the easy400 deliverables and modifying
them to meet my needs.  I am trying to create a web application framework
that would allow our Distributors to log into the website and then have
access to there account information.

The problem that I am facing now is try to keep data persistent between
applications.  I know that I can create a session HANDLE that will allow for
persistent for one app.  I would like for the user to log in using my own
auth method and then keep the information (i.e. customer number, agent code,
etc) to be used for other apps on the site.

My first thought was to generate a session id that would then be written to
a file along with the additional info that I want to keep and then have a
procedure that would retrieve the info based on the session id as the key.

I am new to this area for web programming.  I would like to stay with RPG as
my language as that is what I am most familiar.  I am familiar with PHP but
I do not have the PASE environment installed on my machine to run PHP with
my Apache server.

Thank for any input.