Returning PHP Multi-Dimension Array to Javascript/AJAX

Question

My understanding is that in order to return a complex PHP variable to Javascript, it should be done via AJAX and json_encode. Could somebody give me an actual example (both PHP and Javascript code) of this? Lets say we have the two-dim array in PHP:

$twoDArr = array( array('Greg', 44, 'Owner'),
                  array('Joe', 23, 'Renter'),
                  array('Susan', 39, 'Owner'),
                  array('John', 32, 'Renter)
                );

How would we return this to an analogous two dimensional array in javascript using json_encode?

Uh... you mean other than the calls to json_encode() and JSON.parse()? — Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
– Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams, Commented Jun 7, 2010 at 1:33
Uh, I don't know. My experience is pretty limited with all of this stuff. That's why I'd like to see some examples. If you know some simple examples then feel free to post them. — GregH
– GregH, Commented Jun 7, 2010 at 3:06

tipu · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-07 02:11:28Z

2

<?php

$twoDArr = array( array('Greg', 44, 'Owner'),
                  array('Joe', 23, 'Renter'),
                  array('Susan', 39, 'Owner'),
                  array('John', 32, 'Renter)
                );
?>

<script>
twoDArr = JSON.parse(<?=json_encode($twoDArr)?>)
alert(twoDArr[0][0]) //alerts 'Greg'
alert(twoDArr[0][1]) //alerts '44'
alert(twoDArr[1][0]) //alerts 'Joe'
</script>

edited Jun 7, 2010 at 2:11

answered Jun 7, 2010 at 1:52

tipu

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4 Comments

Rookwood Over a year ago

While this example certainly works, it is generally best to avoid eval when a simple alternative is present. In this case, you could replace the eval statement with JSON.parse(<?=json_encode($twoDArr)?>) to achieve the same effect.

GregH Over a year ago

Sorry for being so obtuse...you have "JSON.parse(<?=json_encode($twoDArr)?>)" What's with the "?=" is that some sort of shorthand? I tried this in my sample page and I get nothing coming back.

GregH Over a year ago

Something weird is up...if I echo out json_encode($twoDArr) I get: [["Greg",44,"Owner"],["Joe",23,"Renter"],["Susan",39,"Owner"],["John",32,"Renter"]] That isn't right is it? Should the arrays be separated by a ":"?

GregH Over a year ago

Ok, I figured out the problem. I'm not sure why, but the php variable has to be double encoded with JSON_ENCODE. So the JSON.parse line should read: var twoDArr=JSON.parse(<?php echo JSON_ENCODE(JSON_ENCODE($twoDArr))?>);

user2886138 · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-02 09:19:27Z

0

Your program would of ran in a more simpler way like this:

        <?php

            $twoDArr = array( array('Greg', 44, 'Owner'),
                              array('Joe', 23, 'Renter'),
                              array('Susan', 39, 'Owner'),
                              array('John', 32, 'Renter)
                            );
        ?>

        <script>
            var twoDArr = <?php echo json_encode($twoDArr); ?>;
            alert(twoDArr[0][0]) //alerts 'Greg'
            alert(twoDArr[0][1]) //alerts '44'
            alert(twoDArr[1][0]) //alerts 'Joe'
        </script>

answered May 2, 2014 at 9:19

user2886138

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