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The json_encode Function

The json_encode function converts PHP variables (arrays, objects, strings, numbers) into a JSON format string. Its first parameter accepts the value to be encoded, the second (optional) - flags for configuring the encoding process, the third - the transformation depth.

Syntax

json_encode(mixed $value, [int $flags = 0], [int $depth = 512]): string|false

Example

Let's convert a simple array to JSON:

<?php $arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; echo json_encode($arr); ?>

Code execution result:

'[1,2,3,4,5]'

Example

Let's convert an associative array to JSON:

<?php $arr = ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3]; echo json_encode($arr); ?>

Code execution result:

'{"a":1,"b":2,"c":3}'

Example

Using the JSON_PRETTY_PRINT flag for pretty formatting:

<?php $arr = ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3]; echo json_encode($arr, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT); ?>

Code execution result:

'{ "a": 1, "b": 2, "c": 3 }'

See Also

  • the json_decode function,
    which converts a JSON string into PHP variables
  • the serialize function,
    which converts variables into a string for storage
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