Create array from string

Question

I have a string like that :

$str = "array (
   'from' => 'OK',
   'to' => 'OK',
   array (
      'id' => 204847
   ),
)"

How could I create the array that matches ? Or how could I get the id ?

This is going to take you into unwanted territory. Can you change the input to be in a recognised interchange format such as JSON or XML? — Lightness Races in Orbit, Nov 14 '12 at 10:43
If you store the data yourself make sure you use http://php.net/manual/en/function.serialize.php after that you can use unserialize — Alex Rashkov, Nov 14 '12 at 10:43

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 14 '12 at 10:48

3

If this string is not user input the easiest way would be to use eval.

eval('$myArray = '.$str.';');

Important note from the documentation:

The eval() language construct is very dangerous because it allows execution of arbitrary PHP code. Its use thus is discouraged. If you have carefully verified that there is no other option than to use this construct, pay special attention not to pass any user provided data into it without properly validating it beforehand.

edited Nov 14 '12 at 10:48

Lightness Races in Orbit

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answered Nov 14 '12 at 10:43

Leri

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add a semi-colon on the end too – Waygood Nov 14 '12 at 10:44
3

**This post requires a big frakoff warning attached to it.** – Lightness Races in Orbit Nov 14 '12 at 10:45
Please note the use of single quotes, so its a literal string. – Waygood Nov 14 '12 at 10:47

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

2

You could use PHP's eval() function thought you need to be CERTAIN that this string is trusted.. even then I am loathe to recommend it:

Documentation: http://php.net/manual/en/function.eval.php

Warnings: When is eval evil in php? for why it is evil

edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

Community

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answered Nov 14 '12 at 10:43

Martin Lyne

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Hmm, just discovered that "loathe" rather than "loathed" is correct, here, moments before editing your post. Thanks! – Lightness Races in Orbit Nov 14 '12 at 10:44
It will make me loathed, but I loathe myself :) – Martin Lyne Nov 14 '12 at 10:46

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 14 '12 at 10:47

I'm going to break the "answer the question as posed" mould because eval is extremely dangerous and I shall not even come close to recommending its use.

Instead, change your string to a recognised interchange format, such as JSON or even XML. Or PHP's native serialisation format...

Create array from string

3 Answers3