Why we use serialize, unserialize in PHP?

[arnabdasbm]

Why we use serialize, unserialize in PHP?

[Cups]

Its a way of getting to some "previously prepared" data.

Instead of say, making an array from a database select which might be expensive, you just, say, retrieve a cached, serialized array.

It may not be the best analogy, but think of it a bit like the speed dial on your phone, to phone home you could decide to enter in the 10 digit number - but instead you press "1" and "call".

You can delete the speed dial, or update it whenever you want.

[Jake Arkinstall]

Serialize and Unserialize are two of the most handy functions in PHP, but in my eyes, it's best for OOP PHP.

For example, if you have a class which can hold information of products. You can do this by calling info from a database, and filling in the class information. Then, the user may be able to change information (such as the QTY). The serialized can be stored in the $_SESSION, and you can recall that exact class on every page.

This means that you can literally store class information in a database, session, text file etc, as a string. then, rebuild it back into a class.

You can do the same for all PHP variables, most commonly the session array.

[kyberfabrikken]

You can store an object directly in session. PHP will automatically serialize/unserialize it for you.

[Cups]

Off Topic:

Crikey, thats 2 things I learned from you this morning already.

RelaxNG and this. Thanks Kyber

[kyberfabrikken]

Crikey, thats 2 things I learned from you this morning already.

RelaxNG and this. Thanks Kyber

You're welcome.

[Hammer65]

There are even a few Javascript packages that can decode PHP serialized data. It's usually best to use JSON which is essentially the same thing, but for Javascript. Still, it's an interesting idea if you do a lot RPC AJAX sort of work.