Retrieving a json array from a cakePHP controller

Question

I want to return a JSON array from a cakePHP controller. I effectively have a jquery click event which should send either a post, ajax or get call to the controller (specified with URL) and that controller should just return the array. This makes sense to me because I will not create a view file, I literally send the response to the controller and I can set the header, echo the json array and possibly just exit.

My output only says "Array" on console, and does not echo out any parameters in the array. Any ideas?

// jQuery code:
$("selector").click(function() {
      $.post("/controller/view/param1/param2/",function(data) {
         console.log(data);
      } 
}

// code in my controller:
public function view($param1 = false, $param2 = false) {
       $array = array("Name" => "John");
       header("Content-type: application/json");
       echo $array;
      exit;
}

EDIT: Found the solution - the echo $array must be echo json_encode($array)

Haha oopsie, found the solution :) I had to add json_encode($array) and cannot just echo the $array. If anyone else has good tips or ideas please send them for future reference and tips — mauzilla
– mauzilla, Commented Apr 17, 2012 at 9:02
Exactly. Is there a reason you are using "POST" if not sending anything? It takes 2 requests to do a post, while only 1 using GET/LOAD etc. :) — Marco Johannesen
– Marco Johannesen, Commented Apr 17, 2012 at 9:03

thecodeparadox · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-17 15:58:11Z

3

public function view($param1 = false, $param2 = false) {
       $array = array("Name" => "John");
       header("Content-type: application/json"); // not necessary
       echo json_encode($array);
      exit;
}

edited Apr 17, 2012 at 15:58

answered Apr 17, 2012 at 9:03

thecodeparadox

87.2k22 gold badges143 silver badges164 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

mauzilla Over a year ago

As mentioned above, you cannot just echo an array (stupid mistake by me), you have to use the PHP function json_encode which will encode the array into a json object so that javascript can use it.

mark Over a year ago

it would be cleaner to let the response object take care of sending headers - assuming cake2 (which Mauritz unfortunately forgot to mention)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Retrieving a json array from a cakePHP controller

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related