Insert an array in MySQL database

Question

I want to insert an array into my MySQL database in the format a,b,c.

 `var_dump($pvt_contacts)`

results

array(1) { [0]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(3) "102" [1]=> string(1) "3" } }

I tried

`implode(',',$pvt_contacts)'

but it echos Array not 102,3 as I expected . Please help me

I understand what you want, but I must tell you it is a very terrible way to do it. What exactly do you want to achieve? There **must** be an other way to do it. Storing an array in mySQL is so wrong. — SteeveDroz, Jul 07 '11 at 06:25
You are getting me wrong Oltarus . Actually I have an array $pvt_contacts which I want to insert to database in the format 102,2,4 — Suraj Hazarika, Jul 07 '11 at 06:30
what is exactly your query ? i'm pretty sure i know where is the problem... — misterjinx, Jul 07 '11 at 06:36
possible duplicate of [Save PHP array to MySQL?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1978438/save-php-array-to-mysql) — Johan, Jul 07 '11 at 07:41

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 07 '11 at 06:40

If you just want 102,3, then you're off by one (your pointing to a parent array, and not the elements):

implode(',',$pvt_contacts[0]);

If you're trying to store an array in a DB, I recommend serialize. (despite its prevalence in Drupal, ExpressionEngine, Wordpress, etc. this is not generally the best idea).
If you're trying to sent an array to js, I recommend json_encode.
If you're doing something else I need more information.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 07 '11 at 06:29

It is suggested to use multiple rows to store the data, instead of storing the whole array into it. If you insist, here is the way:

Convert your array to the following format:

[key1]{value1}#[key2]{value2}#.... etc

You can use explode to convert it back to array.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 07 '11 at 06:32

The easiest way should be either serialize() or var_export(). But you should only use those if you do not intend to use the data inside the database in any way. If you want to run e.g. SELECT queries on this array data you should store it in a normalized way.

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:34

You should use serialize(), unserialize() or json_encode() , json_decode()

That would make it easier for you to write , and retreive back original data without the need of parsing your stored data yourself . Here are some good links to assist you :

Preferred method to store PHP arrays (json_encode vs serialize)

http://php.net/manual/en/function.json-encode.php

http://php.net/manual/en/function.serialize.php

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 07 '11 at 06:36

You can implode your array into a string then explode it back. Default separator is the ,. If you want to run SELECT queries then you can use the MySQL-specific FIND_IN_SET() function however this whole scenario is not recommened, you should use a normalized way as others suggested above.

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 07 '11 at 06:39

One way is to convert array to JSON. It will convert array to string and you will be able to store it.

json_encode,
json_decode;

Anyway, I don't think that this it the right way how to deal with the problem. Say, for example, you would need to store blog entries and tags for them into database.

How you do it know?

Save blog entry and tag into one table, one row. You convert all entries tags and save all into database.

How you should do it?

Make two tables:

entries,
entry_tags;

All info that's related to entry save into entries. For example: title, description. All tags save into entry_tags. In that table there are id (primary key), entry_id (ID that have relationships with entries ID) and tag that simply holds the name.

I hope this will help you!

Insert an array in MySQL database

6 Answers6