How can i convert a multidimensional array to string and vice versa?

PHP
1

Hi…

I have a multi dimensional array i want to convert this array to string and saved in to a file.Also need to convert string that stored in the file to the previous array for further processing. (i.e the file is like a table in the database ). Is it possible to convert the array to string and then back to array using php?
If anyone knows please help me thanks in advance…

2

Sure, [fphp]serialize[/fphp] should do what you ask. :slight_smile:

3

Depending on your needs you could probably use [fphp]json_encode[/fphp] and [fphp]json_decode[/fphp] to achieve similar too, not sure if it might be a bit “lossy” but for arrays it should be ok.


$test = array(1=>'this',10=>'that','a key'=>'the other', 'we dont need no stinkin key');

// encoding
$a = json_encode($test);

echo $a;
//{"1":"this","10":"that","a key":"the other","11":"we dont need no stinkin key"}
// assigns key 11 to the array

// now decoding
$b = json_decode( $a, true);

var_dump($b);

//array
//  1 => string 'this' (length=4)
//  10 => string 'that' (length=4)
//  'a key' => string 'the other' (length=9)
// 11 => string 'we dont need no stinkin key' (length=27)


var_dump( array_diff( $test, $b) );
// array empty
// even though $test's 4th item had no key

Use json_decode with 2nd argument empty to get a class returned instead of an array.

I tested with a multidimensional array too and it works the same.

4 
<?php file_put_contents( 'somefile', '<?php return ' . var_export( $array, true ) . '; ?>' );

//....further down....

$array = include 'somefile';

:smiley:

5

Cor! I like that.