How to convert php data to array

In PHP, converting data into an array is a very basic skill. Whether you're reading a file, getting data from a database, or directly from an API, converting it to an array makes it easier to manage and process.

In this article, we will learn how to convert different types of data into arrays, including strings, JSON data, and XML data. let's start!

1. Convert string to array

Use the explode() function to convert a string into an array. This function requires two parameters, the first parameter is the specified delimiter, and the second parameter is the string to be converted to an array. Here is a simple example:

$str = "apple,banana,orange";
$arr = explode(",", $str);
print_r($arr);

Output result:

Array
(
    [0] => apple
    [1] => banana
    [2] => orange
)

In the above example, we are using comma as delimiter. You can use any character as a separator, such as spaces, colons, or other symbols.

2. JSON data to array

We usually encounter JSON data when processing API responses or reading files. JSON data can be converted into an array (or object) using the json_decode() function. The following is an example:

$json = '{
    "name": "John",
    "age": 30,
    "city": "New York"
}';
 
$arr = json_decode($json, true);
print_r($arr);

Output result:

Array
(
    [name] => John
    [age] => 30
    [city] => New York
)

In the above example, the json_decode() function is used to convert JSON data into an associative array. Note that setting the second parameter to true indicates that we want an associative array, not an object.

3. XML data to array

Finally, let’s take a look at how to convert XML data to an array. In PHP you can use the SimpleXML extension to parse XML. Here is an example:

$xml = '<fruit>
    <name>Apple</name>
    <color>Red</color>
    <weight>0.2 kg</weight>
</fruit>';
 
$fruit = simplexml_load_string($xml);
$arr = (array) $fruit;
print_r($arr);

Output result:

Array
(
    [name] => Apple
    [color] => Red
    [weight] => 0.2 kg
)

Please note that we use cast to convert the SimpleXMLElement object to an array.

Conclusion

Converting data to arrays in PHP is a very important skill. We have learned in this article how to convert strings, JSON data, and XML data into arrays. Although this is just an introductory level tutorial, these basics are very important for working with data in PHP.

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