[Resolved] unseralize($uploaded_array) problems

vaaaska

I deleted a previous post (that had no responses) that was sort of about this same thing, but it wasn't really...sorry about that.

I'm trying to upload an array via a form and then use this info to populate the database. I'm serializing my data and then unserializing it so that I can access the elements.

I can print_r($uploaded_array) just fine but I can not access any of the elements.

$uploaded_array['name'], for instance, returns the first letter of the uploaded data. So, it seems that my data isn't really being serialized/unserialized properly.

I've seen people use base64_decode (and encoding the data beforehand) but I don't understand why I would even need this step - if I can't get the above to work.

$new_array = unserialize(base64_decode($uploaded_array));

Any hints out there as to how I might proceed?

No, I'm not getting any error messages and as I said, I can print out the data I just can't access the elements.

bsgrules

show us what the print_r() returns.

vaaaska

Serialized:

s:55:"Array ( [author] => Me [name] => The name )";

Unerialized:

Array ( [author] => Me [name] => The name )

If I use extract() it gives me an error message. Apparently, it's not coming back as an array.

The weird thing is that if I base64_encode everything and the decode it it works...but I don't understand this at all.

$uploaded_array = serialize(base64_encode($uploaded_array));

// and then after the submit
$uploaded_array - unserilize(base64_decode($uploaded_array));

???

bsgrules

well the unserialized looks fine..I have no idea why you can't access that. So when you
echo $unserializedArray['name'];
you get the first letter only?

vaaaska

Originally posted by bsgrules
well the unserialized looks fine..I have no idea why you can't access that. So when you
echo $unserializedArray['name'];
you get the first letter only?

Yep...only the first letter. A.

I can't figure out what I'm missing here.

Installer

Is this right:

The user enters data into a form; the data is stored into a database.

At what point are you serializing the data?

The data in the unserialized array you show should be available. Are you using the right variable, i.e.

$upload_arr = $_POST; // Array
$ser_arr = serialize($upload_arr); // String
$new_arr = unserialize($ser_arr); // Array
// $new_arr contains your posted data

vaaaska

This is what the data looks like in the input form:

Array(
[name] => The name
[author] => me
)

I believe this requires that we serialize it. I do so once it's submitted. If I could get any of this to actually work...argh...

Yes, it's as simple as that...yes, I am using the correct variables. Yes, it's driving me a little nuts.

😉

Other suggested ways to do this?

bsgrules

I'm guessing the next step would be to show us your script.

Installer

I believe this requires that we serialize it.

Why?

"serializing it once it's submitted" means you must be serializing it on the next page. Is that the same page you're doing the db stuff on, or are you passing the serialized data on to another page? In either case, why serialize?

vaaaska

The script is basically there...there is nothing to this...

<form stuff...>
<textarea name='code'></textarea>
<input type='submit' name='upload' value='Upload' />

in the page...

$plugin = stripslashes($_POST['code'];

// to get to our array...which is a string in the beginning
// this is the right method?
$plugin = serialize($plugin);
$plugin = unserialize($plugin);

// print_r($plugin);  // yields an error - says it's not an array

echo $plugin['name'];  // yields "A"

And the array itself that goes in the textarea
Array([name] => The name [author] => me);

vaaaska

Originally posted by Installer
Why?

"serializing it once it's submitted" means you must be serializing it on the next page. Is that the same page you're doing the db stuff on, or are you passing the serialized data on to another page? In either case, why serialize?

Because it's a string that wants to be an array? Isn't that correct? I want PHP to turn this into an array...

bsgrules

Originally posted by vaaaska
Because it's a string that wants to be an array? Isn't that correct?

lol, what do you mean wants to be an array.

vaaaska

Originally posted by bsgrules
lol, what do you mean wants to be an array.

Did you look at what I'm putting into the textarea?

bsgrules

hm...so you're posting the syntax of a serialized array on a form...hm, no idea why you would want to do that...

When you gave us the results of print_r there is no way that would print out the array you showed us earlier. The way your script is setup,you're serializing serialized data and then unserializing it.

vaaaska

Originally posted by bsgrules
The way your script is setup,you're serializing serialized data and then unserializing it.

Incorrect. Read more closely.

I'll mark this thread resolved and deal with it.

bsgrules

i'm on yahoo messenger as sectionthirty1 🙂

Installer

Edit: Code revised in my next post.

bsgrules

very weird indeed.

vaaaska

Thanks for your help Installer.

I've determined three things:

01 - this is an 'ok' way to do this process.
02 - the problem did lie in the fact that my array wasn't serialzing properly. i was serializing a string and not an array (should have caught this more quickly). which means that the file needs to be serialized in advance (before it goes to the textarea)*.
03 - i understand why encoding it in base64 makes some sense (but i'm not sure if i'll go that route).

It now works perfectly...

😉

Your test confirms this as well.

Installer

Great! 'Cause I've since figured out that what you were trying to tell us was right: this can be a useful tool. Here's my test script adding base_64_encode:

if (!isset($_POST['submit'])) {
    $code = array('name' => 'The name', 'author' => 'me');
    $ser_code = base64_encode(serialize($code));
    echo '<form action="' . $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] . '" method="post">' .
         '<input type="hidden" name="code" value="' . $ser_code . '" />' .
         '<input type="submit" name="submit" value="submit" />' .
         '</form>';
} else {
    $unser_code = unserialize(base64_decode($_POST['code']));
    echo '<pre>';
    print_r($unser_code);
    echo '</pre>';
}