Why is `json_encode` Returning an Empty String?

Why json_encode Returns an Empty String: Decoding Confusion

When dealing with intricate data structures like nested arrays, json_encode can sometimes produce an unexpected empty string. This issue often arises from encoding inconsistencies within the array.

One possible cause is incorrect encoding of characters. For instance, if some strings within the array are not properly encoded as UTF-8, json_encode may encounter errors. To confirm this, you can use json_last_error(), which will return JSON_ERROR_UTF8 if there are malformed characters.

To address this issue, consider using functions like utf8_encode() or its recursive counterpart, utf8ize(), to meticulously convert all strings in the array to UTF-8. By ensuring the correct encoding of all elements, you can resolve the confusion and enable json_encode to generate the desired JSON representation.

Additionally, it's worth verifying the accuracy of the encoding information provided by mb_detect_encoding. If the function returns ASCII for strings that should be UTF-8, it could indicate a potential malfunction. In such cases, utilizing alternative encoding conversion functions like iconv() or mb_convert_encoding() might prove more reliable.

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