Put a string into an array

Question

I have a string that contains this:

array(a=1, b=2, c=array(ca=23, cb=45),d=array(da=342, db=array(dba=3154, dbb=8746), dc=765),e=8)

Now, I need to create an array from the contents of this string. I tried it this way:

$arrValues = array();
$arrValues = $strVar;
var_dump($arrValues);

But of course, as was to be expected, this just gives you an array with 1 item of type string, and the whole shebang in it.

Any tips?

@GrantThomas From the OP, I'd assume the string `array(a=1, b=2, c=array(ca=23, cb=45),d=array(da=342, db=array(dba=3154, dbb=8746), dc=765),e=8)`. — h2ooooooo, Apr 11 '13 at 10:23
Yes indeed, $strVar is the variable that contains the "arraystring" — Borniet, Apr 11 '13 at 10:25
How "safe" would this string be? If it's quite safe, you can `eval()` it after some modification. — Passerby, Apr 11 '13 at 10:25
@Borniet Where do you have this string from? Is it something you're putting into a database/file yourself, and could you essentially use [`serialize`](http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.serialize.php) or [`json_encode`](http://php.net/manual/en/function.json-encode.php) to save the data instead, and then use [`unserialize`](http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.unserialize.php) and [`json_decode`](http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.json-decode.php) to get the array back? — h2ooooooo, Apr 11 '13 at 10:26
Well, it is for an internal tool, and I would be the one to put the string in there, so it is "safe" :-) — Borniet, Apr 11 '13 at 10:26
@h2ooooooo I input this string myself. It is the return I get from a function, and I copy/paste it back. I have no control over the output of this function however. — Borniet, Apr 11 '13 at 10:27

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 11 '13 at 10:22

0

you can use eval() but it is not recommanded unless you are sure of what will contain the string (it may cause security issues)

Edit :

It seems that your array is not in the syntaxe of a php array, you will need to reformat it.

answered Apr 11 '13 at 10:22

Oussama Jilal

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Doesn't look like valid array syntax to be eval'd imho. – Fabrício Matté Apr 11 '13 at 10:24
I'd say to `str_replace` the `=` with `=>` but eval + arbitrary replacing without even checking if the `=` is part of a string is a little overkill. Oh it also lacks keys' quoting, never mind. – Fabrício Matté Apr 11 '13 at 10:26
even replacing `=` with `=>` and string keys with `"string_key"` doesn't successfully `eval()` this array. Thoughts? – Ejaz Apr 11 '13 at 10:29

score 0 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

Before I say anything about using eval(), read this stackoverflow post.

As Yazmat mentioned, you could use eval() if you're very sure that nobody could inject code into this, and use a regex of ([a-zA-Z0-9]+)\s*=\s* replaced with "$1" => to change your code to be PHP array compliant:

<?php
    $strVar = 'array(a=1, b=2, c=array(ca=23, cb=45),d=array(da=342, db=array(dba=3154, dbb=8746), dc=765),e=8)';
    $arrValues = array();

    $phpCompliantStrVar = preg_replace('/([a-zA-Z0-9]+)\s*=\s*/', '"$1" => ', $strVar) . ';';
    //string(157) "array("a" => 1, "b" => 2, "c" => array("ca" => 23, "cb" => 45),"d" => array("da" => 342, "db" => array("dba" => 3154, "dbb" => 8746), "dc" => 765),"e" => 8);"

    //Beware of the evilness that eval can cause! It will suck out your soul if overdone.
    eval('$arrValues = ' . $phpCompliantStrVar);

    print_r($arrValues);
    /*
        Array
        (
            [a] => 1
            [b] => 2
            [c] => Array
                (
                    [ca] => 23
                    [cb] => 45
                )

            [d] => Array
                (
                    [da] => 342
                    [db] => Array
                        (
                            [dba] => 3154
                            [dbb] => 8746
                        )

                    [dc] => 765
                )

            [e] => 8
        )
    */
?>

DEMO

Current limitations:

It will ONLY work if your values in the array are all numbers - else you need to change the regex.

This one does the trick! As said above, the tool will be used internal, probably even only by me. So the input is safe. — Borniet, Apr 11 '13 at 11:01

Put a string into an array

2 Answers2