How to access deeper levels of JSON Object in PHP

Question

Using this below as an example of a JSON response I would get from an API using PHP

[
   {
    "profile_background_tile": true,
    "listed_count": 82,
    "status":  {
      "created_at": "Fri Apr 20 20:06:12 +0000 2012",
      "place": null,
    },
    "default_profile": false,
    "created_at": "Tue Oct 25 00:03:17 +0000 2011"
  }
]

I would use something like this...

$obj = json_decode($json);

foreach($obj as $index => $user) {
    echo $user->profile_background_tile;
    echo $user->listed_count;
    echo $user->status;    
    echo $user->default_profile;
    echo $user->created_at;
}

Now where I need some help is in the JSON response under status there is created_at and place

I do not know how to access those items?

bfavaretto · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-20 21:47:22Z

1

You use the exact same logic, but a level deeper:

echo $user->status->created_at;
echo $user->status->place;

Here is why that works: your decoded JSON is array of objects. Each object has properties like profile_background_tile. They also have a status property, which happens to be another object, with properties created_at and place. And you access object properties with $obj->prop syntax.

edited Apr 20, 2012 at 21:47

answered Apr 20, 2012 at 21:39

bfavaretto

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3 Comments

CodeDevelopr Over a year ago

That is what I had thought and I thought I had tried that with no success, I will try again

CodeDevelopr Over a year ago

Ahh it does work, I had tried it in a smaller demo before and it wasn't working but trying it in my main class now works, thanks!

bfavaretto Over a year ago

@CodeDevelopr Don't worry, you don't have to delete the comment. I updated my answer with an explanation, I hope it helps.

Baba · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-20 21:50:02Z

1

Error

Your JSON is not valid ...

Look at

"status":  {
  "created_at": "Fri Apr 20 20:06:12 0000 2012",
  "place": null,
},

there is , after "place": null which should not be there

Try

$json = '[{"profile_background_tile": "true",
    "listed_count": 82,
    "status":  {
      "created_at": "Fri Apr 20 20:06:12 0000 2012",
      "place": null
    },
    "default_profile": false,
    "created_at": "Tue Oct 25 00:03:17 +0000 2011"
  }]';

echo "<pre>";
$obj = json_decode ( $json );
foreach ( $obj as $index => $user ) {
    echo $user->status->created_at , PHP_EOL;
    echo $user->status->place , PHP_EOL;

}

Output

 Fri Apr 20 20:06:12 0000 2012

answered Apr 20, 2012 at 21:50

Baba

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