Storing array/list as column in DB

[Anon]

Is it possible to create a table that has a column which contains an array or list rather than just flat data? If so, how is this done? If not, what are the best ways around this?

Thank you.

--Greg Hoover

[[deleted]]

That's not how it's done.

The proper way is to use a new table to hold all the array-values, one row per value, and link that to the original table through it's id.

[bastien]

though the answer to his question is:

$myValues=implode(",",$MyArray)

$query = "insert into mytable values($myValues)";

As for storing an array in one field...it depends on the application and what your goal is. I did the exact thing here to store a bunch of product options in one field on in shoppng cart table. I used checkboxes to allow the user to indicate if they wished to purchase that options and stuck the entore array in a DB field.

hth

Bastien

[Anon]

If you definitely need to store a PHP variable of any type and maintain that variables type (Arrays, Objects, etc), you could use the php serialize() function. It converts any PHP variable into a string that you can restore using unserialize() function. It is also alot safer to use than Bastien's method because of "what if the data contains a comma" problems. You can find more info on serialize/unserialize here:

http://www.php.net/serialize
http://www.php.net/unserialize

-Josh

[Anon]

Why not use power of the relational database? A child table (as vincent describes) is simple, reliable, and easy to maintain.