Convert array to particular JSON format

Question

I am kicking my self for having to ask this question, but I cannot figure out how to convert the following array to the JSON format below. Simply json_encoding the array does not produce the square brackets needed.

PHP Array

$json = array(
              "api_key" => $api_key,
              "data"    => array(
                                "item" => array (
                                                "value" => rand(0, 5684),
                                                "text" => "Total"
                                                )
                                )
             );

JSON format required

{
    "api_key": "api key",
    "data": {
        "item": [
            {
                "value": 3212,
                "text": "Total"
            }
        ]
    }
}

How should I change the array to make json_encode produce the correct format, or is there some switch I am missing on the encoding?

T.J. Crowder · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-10 16:30:04Z

1

You're just missing out a level. In your PHP, item is an associative array with the value and text properties. But in the expected JSON, it's an array containing an object with value and text properties. So in your PHP structure, you need a simple array that you put your associative array in.

E.g.:

$json = array(
  "api_key" => $api_key,
  "data" => array(
    "item" => array( // <== The simple array
      array(         // <== Your original associative array
        "value" => rand(0, 5684) ,
        "text" => "Total"
      )
    )
  )
);

If you json_encode that, you get:

{
    "api_key": "your key",
    "data": {
        "item": [
            {
                "value": 605,
                "text": "Total"
            }
        ]
    }
}

answered Apr 10, 2015 at 16:30

T.J. Crowder

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2 Comments

superphonic Over a year ago

Clearly I'm done for the day :-/ Thanks for not ripping me a new one for being so dense.

T.J. Crowder Over a year ago

@superphonic: It's pretty easy not to see the odd [ and ] here and there. :-)

lafor · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-10 16:30:29Z

1

If you want item to be a list of dictionaries, you need an array of associative arrays in the input:

$json = array(
   "api_key" => 'foo',
   "data"    => array(
      "item" => array(
         array (
            "value" => rand(0, 5684),
            "text" => "Total"
         )
      )
   )
);

answered Apr 10, 2015 at 16:30

lafor

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