Turn an array format string into actual Array on PHP

Question

I am struggling to find the solution for converting string type array into actual array. I have a database column where it stores plain-text exactly like below :

array ( 'mc_gross' => '100.00', 'auth_exp' => '18:35:24 Apr 08, 2022 PDT',  
 'protection_eligibility' => 'Eligible', 'payer_id' => 'J4RS8Q76ZEKZ2', 'payment_date' =>                        '17:35:24 Mar 10, 2022 PST', 'payment_status' => 'Pending', 'charset' => 'UTF-8',  
 'first_name' => 'John', 'transaction_entity' => 'auth', 'quantity' => '4',)

I need to access 'quantity' value from this column. I have tried to fetch database and then tried to access it through the code below:

while($resp=$db->fetch($response)){
                foreach ($resp as $key => $value) {
                    $gateway[] = $resp[$key];
                    }
                }
            }
        echo $gateway[0]['quantity'];

I am getting 'a' after this command. it is the first character of string as you see.

The output of echo $gateway[0] is :

array ( 'mc_gross' => '100.00', 'auth_exp' => '18:35:24 Apr 08, 2022 PDT',  
 'protection_eligibility' => 'Eligible', 'payer_id' => 'J4RS8Q76ZEKZ2', 'payment_date' =>                        '17:35:24 Mar 10, 2022 PST', 'payment_status' => 'Pending', 'charset' => 'UTF-8',  
 'first_name' => 'John', 'transaction_entity' => 'auth', 'quantity' => '4',)

I have tried to access by : $gateway[0][1] (just for example) but this only shows me : a

As you see it is saved as string, I don't know how to handle this. Any help would be highly appreciated.

How you printed this output (what you use to print ) from $gateway? Have you tried $gateway[0][7]? — Serghei Leonenco
– Serghei Leonenco, Commented Mar 11, 2022 at 4:22
Why you trying to access value of the key => ( $dateway[0][11] ) which obviously does not exist in this array? — Serghei Leonenco
– Serghei Leonenco, Commented Mar 11, 2022 at 4:25
I mean that I have tried everything but the only result I get is the first symbol of the value $gateway[0] . It looks like an array but it is only a string and therefore accessing as an array not works at all. it only returns me the symbols. Is there any way to convert it to an array ? — Ali Mammadov
– Ali Mammadov, Commented Mar 11, 2022 at 9:54

gguney · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-11 04:25:02Z

1

[
    'mc_gross' => '100.00',
    'auth_exp' => '18:35:24 Apr 08, 2022 PDT',
    'protection_eligibility' => 'Eligible',
    'payer_id' => 'J4RS8Q76ZEKZ2',
    'payment_date' => '17:35:24 Mar 10, 2022 PST',
    'payment_status' => 'Pending',
    'charset' => 'UTF-8',
    'first_name' => 'John',
    'transaction_entity' => 'auth',
    'quantity' => '4',
] // this is $gateway[0]

Simply use:

$gateway[0]['quantity']

to get the quantity value

answered Mar 11, 2022 at 4:25

gguney

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7 Comments

Ali Mammadov Over a year ago

Unfortunately, that does not work also. Because the result of that command is : 'a' . As I said before $garteway[0] contains long string looks like array but it is not. It is a string and needs to be serialized in my opinion.

gguney Over a year ago

I answered according to your question. Please add required code to your question so we can help you better.

Ali Mammadov Over a year ago

I have edited my first question, please have a look.

gguney Over a year ago

Did you try to run json_decode on your "string like array"

Ali Mammadov Over a year ago

To be honest I have tried but that did not work also, but might be I am doing something wrong?

|

WebDevPassion · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-11 05:42:38Z

0

The 'string type arrays' are so-called associative arrays.

The result of $gateway[0] is such an associative array. More precise your array $gateway contains another associative array at its first index [0]. Therefore using

 $gateway[0]['quantity']

would be your way to go.

As a bonus tip you should check the array documentation of php: https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php

answered Mar 11, 2022 at 5:42

WebDevPassion

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2 Comments

Ali Mammadov Over a year ago

Unfortunately, that does not work also. Because the result of that command is : 'a' . As I said before $garteway[0] contains long string looks like array but it is not. It is a string and needs to be serialized in my opinion.

WebDevPassion Over a year ago

What's the output you get of gettype($gateway[0]) and gettype($gateway[0]['quantity']) ?

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