PHP Database serialized array issue

Question

Got an issue when inserting a blank serialized array into the database. I'm using wordpress (just for full disclosure, shouldn't make a difference) and using the add_post_meta() function to input some additional information. Here's a snippet:

add_post_meta($post_id, 'information', serialize(array()));

The serialized array is intentionally blank for the moment. Anyway here's the expected/actuals:

// Expected value 
a:0:{}

// Actual value
s:6:"a:0:{}";

Any help?

Try reading this codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/add_post_meta — Drixson Oseña
– Drixson Oseña, Commented Aug 2, 2013 at 4:22
Your s:6 comes from this - a:0:{}, a string that is 6 characters long. I believe you don't need to serialize array data with add_post_meta(). You could also try maybe_serialize();. — David Gard
– David Gard, Commented Aug 2, 2013 at 8:25

Eek · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-02 16:19:25Z

1

Add post meta auto-serializes arrays. And also get post meta, pass TRUE at the last argument: like get_post_meta($post_id, 'information', TRUE);

More details here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/add_post_meta

answered Aug 2, 2013 at 16:19

Eek

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1 Comment

ScottMcGready Over a year ago

Thanks for that. It seems that you don't need to serialize the data for add_post_meta as it does it for you if you input an array. Therefore my problem was that my data was double serialized.

Vishal C · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-12 06:18:03Z

0

I have faced the same issue but I could used add_post_meta($post_id, 'information', array()); instead of add_post_meta($post_id, 'information', serialize(array())); try it you can resolve your issue..

answered Sep 12, 2017 at 6:18

Vishal C

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