How to sanitize a [null] array input for my API program?

Question

I am calling API through postman and passing following parameters.

reason: string
staff_ids[]:

When pass staff_ids blank then I got [null] in server-side.

so that the condition gets always true.

if(isset($request->staff_ids) && !empty($request->staff_ids)){
//
}

Is there any way to check if array has [null]?

I think this will be a specific condition. I am looking to check array if it has some return otherwise false. — Gufran Hasan, Sep 30 '19 at 08:24
`if (is_array($request->staff_ids) && count($request->staff_ids) == 0) { echo 'I am empty'; }` — RiggsFolly, Sep 30 '19 at 08:26
Actually I think I misinterpreted your question and perhaps it should be `implode(',', $request->staff_ids) == 'null'` — Nick, Sep 30 '19 at 08:27
What is `I got [null] in server-side` - array('null'), array(), array(NULL) ? — splash58, Sep 30 '19 at 08:29
Maybe, help - https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42993222/postman-how-to-check-whether-the-field-is-returning-null-in-the-postman-automat — splash58, Sep 30 '19 at 08:33

Koala Yeung · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-30T09:35:07.193

1

Instead of checking, you may simply filter out all NULL values before other works

if (!isset($request->staff_ids) || $request->staff_ids === null) {
  $request->staff_ids = array(); // default to empty array if is not set or is null
} 

if (!empty($request->staff_ids)) {
  $request->staff_ids = array_filter($request->staff_ids, function ($id) {
    return ($id !== null);
  });

  if (!empty($request->staff_ids)) {
    // ...
  }
}

edited Sep 30 '19 at 09:35

answered Sep 30 '19 at 08:29

Koala Yeung

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when uncheck staff_ids[] field in postman it gives `array_filter() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given` – Gufran Hasan Sep 30 '19 at 08:44
1

So `$request->staff_ids` might not be set at all. In that case, I've updated my suggestion. – Koala Yeung Sep 30 '19 at 09:34
Yes, exactly your solution working for me Thanks :) – Gufran Hasan Sep 30 '19 at 09:37

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 30 '19 at 08:41

1

I have filtered array values before checking as @KoalaYeung Answered. It is working fine.

$request->staff_ids = array_filter($request->staff_ids, function ($id) {
        return ($id !== null);
      });

    if(isset($request->staff_ids) && !empty($request->staff_ids)){
      ///

    }

Is there any better approach?

answered Sep 30 '19 at 08:41

Gufran Hasan

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It depends on which level are you planning to fix. Do you want Postman to not send that `[NULL]` array in the first place? Or do you think is your server side script that generates the `[NULL]` array? Or do you simply want to sanitize your input? – Koala Yeung Sep 30 '19 at 09:11
You' re not showing enough of your code to allow deeper diagnosis. – Koala Yeung Sep 30 '19 at 09:12
Simply I want to sanitize your input. – Gufran Hasan Sep 30 '19 at 09:32

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 30 '19 at 08:27

0

you can check this with is_null function and sizeof() for array

if(!is_null($request->staff_ids) && sizeof($request->staff_ids)){
}

answered Sep 30 '19 at 08:27

Sepideh

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How to sanitize a [null] array input for my API program?

3 Answers3