Is possible, in PHP, serialize array in "human-readable language" and then unserialize it? [closed]

Question

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance.

Closed 9 years ago.

I ask serialization and unserialization by PHP script. Only sometimes I edit the array manually (in database.txt).

Answer 1

You could export the array as a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) string and later decode it again.

You can do this with the functions json_encode and json_decode, respectively.

$a = array(
  'a' => 1,
  'b' => 2,
  'c' => array(1,2,3));
file_put_contents('database.txt', json_encode($a));
// encoded: {a:1,b:2,c:[1,2,3]}

// ---
$a = json_decode(file_get_contents('database.txt'), TRUE);
// specify TRUE to parse objects as assoc. arrays ---^

Note, that all this might not be the best idea (I'm a bit worried about the filename you chose – if you want to have a DB, then use a DB! (e.g. sqlite)).

Answer 2

You should take a look at the JSON format. Depending on what type of data you are serializing, this should do what you want, and it's pretty human readable and easily edited.

In particular, your array is limited to containing only numbers, strings, floats, boolean values, or other arrays. However, you can store both numerically indexed as well as associative arrays.

For more information on the standard, take a look at http://www.json.org/ and for the php functions, see http://us2.php.net/json_encode and http://us2.php.net/json_decode