Builtin PHP function to serialize structured array into hidden fields

Question

I am looking for a function that will convert this array:

array(1) {
  ["a"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["b"]=>
    int(1)
    ["c"]=>
    string(5) "hello"
  }
}

into something like:

array(2) {
  ["a[b]"]=>
  int(1)
  ["a[c]"]=>
  string(5) "hello"
}

I.e. to "serialize" structured array so that I can easily put it to HTML form as hidden fields and when I read it back from the $_POST, I get exactly the same structure! Is there any PHP built-in function for that?

Nope, while PHP is pretty rich in functions for most things, that you'll have to code yourself — Mark Baker
– Mark Baker, Commented Apr 15, 2013 at 11:13
Thanks @Mark.. are there any similar useful functions that can help in the task? — Tomas
– Tomas, Commented Apr 15, 2013 at 11:15
Something like a solution from stackoverflow.com/questions/10849021/… ? — Jon
– Jon, Commented Apr 15, 2013 at 11:15
Or using serialize/unserialize with just one input field – if you don’t need the data client-side for access to the single values. Or, if you don’t need it client-side, why not put it into the session in the first place and avoid the round-trip to the client? — C3roe
– C3roe, Commented Apr 15, 2013 at 11:16

UltraInstinct · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-15 11:58:57Z

3

You would need to flatten it yourself. There's in no built-in one-line function that could do that.

function flattenArr($arr, $key, &$result) {
    foreach ($arr as $k => $v) {
        if (is_array($v)) {
            flattenArr($v, $key . "[$k]", $result);
        } else {
            $result[$key . "[$k]"] = $v;
        }
    }
}

$obj = array("a" => array("b" => "c", "d" => array("1"=>array(1,2,3,5),"2", "3")));
$result = array();
flattenArr($obj, "", $result);
foreach ($result as $k => $v) {
    echo "result$k = $v\n";
}

OUTPUTS:

result[a][b] = c
result[a][d][1][0] = 1
result[a][d][1][1] = 2
result[a][d][1][2] = 3
result[a][d][1][3] = 5
result[a][d][2] = 2
result[a][d][3] = 3

This might not work out the way it is now, you will probably have to modify it a bit. HTH

edited Apr 15, 2013 at 11:58

answered Apr 15, 2013 at 11:42

UltraInstinct

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8 Comments

Baba Over a year ago

What happens with objects ?

UltraInstinct Over a year ago

The answer was just to give the OP an idea. If OP wants to deal with objects, he will have to induce relevant changes.

Jon Over a year ago

@Baba Out of curiosity, when/where were objects mentioned in the question?

Baba Over a year ago

@Jon the OP does not know it yet ... he would be back when he realize how json has made his live easier

Svetoslav Over a year ago

@Tomas asked for the first level array not to set [].

|

Svetoslav · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-15 12:12:11Z

2

$arr = array(
        "a"=> array( "b"=>1, "c"=>"hello", "d"=> array( "e"=>3, "j"=>"wow") ),
        "z"  => array( "za"=>22, "tt"=>'wos')
    );

function loop_it($array, $arr=array(), $Mkey = false){
    foreach ($array as $key => $value) {
        $_key = $Mkey ? $Mkey . "[" . $key . "]" : $key;
        if(is_array($value)){
            $arr += loop_it($value, $arr, $_key);
        } else{
            $arr[$_key] = $value;
        }
    }
    return $arr;
}

$return = loop_it($arr);    
var_dump($return);

Here is working function ..:)

edited Apr 15, 2013 at 12:12

answered Apr 15, 2013 at 11:35

Svetoslav

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