Storing PHP array in MySQL

Anon

I'm probably missing something really elementary*, but is it possible to store an array created in PHP under MySQL?
I tried, using something like:

$a = array('a', 'b', 'c');

then wrote that $a to a varchar field. I got the string Array returned (I think).

Any tips, pointers or remedies to my obvious ignorance much appreciated...

-S

Very Weak Pun<tm>

Anon

Look up the serialize() function.

Serialize, turns arrays into a string representation of their array form, and use unserialize() to turn the string back into the original array form.

for example:
$arr = array(
1 => 'one',
2 => 'two',
3 => 'three' );

$ser_str = serialize($arr);
// Now you can put it into the db, or whatever
// Remember if you're putting it into a db, don't forget to addslashes() the var, else you will have problems

$original = unserialize($ser_str);

hope I helped.

Anon

Thank you very much 🙂

I think that solves my problem.

I spent a while (read a couple of hours over the last 2 days) looking for a tutorial on the web or a previous posting here that did that, but no dice, so I really appreciate this help.