difference between cart getItemsCount() and getSummaryCount()

Question

I am displaying the total items present in the cart at header. I am able to display the count of items.

But I am bit confused between two methods of cart

1. Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getItemsCount()
2. Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getSummaryCount();

For me 1st one returns 1 item in cart and 2nd one returns 6 items in cart, Which is correct one and what is the difference these two functions..

Thanks.

Answer 1

Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getItemsCount() -- return shopping cart items count means how many sku add to shopping cart.
Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getSummaryCount() -- return shopping cart items summary (suppose you add sku1 6 qty and sku2 3 qty = total 9 qty return)

Answer 2

This way getItemsCount will work:

Mage::helper('checkout/cart')->getCart()->getItemsCount();

If not then try adding this above the getItemsCount line:

Mage::getSingleton('core/session', array('name'=>'frontend'));

And For Summary Count:

$count = $this->helper('checkout/cart')->getSummaryCount();  //get total items in cart