json_encode( json_encode (array) )

Question

I'm trying to create a PHP script to generate JSON data for a jqplot bubble chart. The jqplot sample code requires data in the format

var arr = [ 
  [45, 92, 1067, {label:"Alfa Romeo", color:'skyblue'}], 
  etc.
];

My script is along the lines of

while ...
  array_push(
    $arrBubble, 
    array(
      11, 
      123, 
      1236,
      json_encode(
        array('label' => $car, 'color' => 'skyblue')
      )
  );
} 
echo json_encode($arrBubble);

The problem is that the result is

[ [11, 123, 1236, "{\"label\":"VW", \"color\":\"skyblue\"}"] ]

The double json_encode has encoded the object(?) as a literal string.

What's the best way to work around this?

How else can I add the {label:"Alfa Romeo", color:'skyblue'} into the array for subsequent inclusion in the required JSON (but without encoding as a string)? — Transistor
– Transistor, Commented Jul 22, 2018 at 18:57

MatsLindh · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-22 19:00:08Z

1

There is no reason to explicitly have a json_encode for one of the values inside the array. When you're using json_encode, it'll convert each level of the array as you expect.

var_dump(json_encode([
  11, 
  123, 
  1236,
  ['label' => $car, 'color' => 'skyblue']
]));

Outputs the structure you want:

string(48) "[11,123,1236,{"label":"VW","color":"skyblue"}]"

answered Jul 22, 2018 at 19:00

MatsLindh

53.5k5 gold badges70 silver badges97 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

Transistor Over a year ago

Fantastically simple, thank you. I knew I was missing something straight-forward. Tested and working.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

json_encode( json_encode (array) )

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related