How to use serialize() and unserialize() Function in PHP?
In PHP, complex data can not be transported or can not be stored. If you want to execute continuously a complex set of data beyond a single script then these serialize() and unserialize() functions are handy to deal with those complex data structures. The serialize() function just gives a compatible shape to a complex data structure that the PHP can handle that data after that you can reverse the work by using the unserialize() function.
Most often, we need to store a complex array in the database or in a file from PHP. Some of us might have surely searched for some built-in function to accomplish this task. Complex arrays are arrays with elements of more than one data-types or array. But, we already have a handy solution to handle this situation.
PHP serialize() Function
The serialize() is an inbuilt function PHP that is used to serialize the given array. The serialize() function accepts a single parameter which is the data we want to serialize and returns a serialized string.
Syntax
serialize( $values_in_form_of_array )Example 1: In this example, illustrate the Serialize() function.
<?php
// Complex array
$myvar = array(
'hello',
42,
array(1, 'two'),
'apple'
);
// Convert to a string
$string = serialize($myvar);
// Printing the serialized data
echo $string;
?>
Output
a:4:{i:0;s:5:"hello";i:1;i:42;i:2;a:2:{i:0;i:1;i:1;s:3:"two";}i:3;s:5:"apple";}PHP unserialize() Function
The unserialize() is an inbuilt function php that is used to unserialize the given serialized array to get back to the original value of the complex array, $myvar.
Syntax
unserialize( $serialized_array )Example 2: In this example, illustrate both serialize() and unserialize() functions.
<?php
// Complex array
$myvar = array(
'hello',
42,
array(1, 'two'),
'apple'
);
// Serialize the above data
$string = serialize($myvar);
// Unserializing the data in $string
$newvar = unserialize($string);
// Printing the unserialized data
print_r($newvar);
?>
Output
Array
(
[0] => hello
[1] => 42
[2] => Array
(
[0] => 1
[1] => two
)
[3] => apple
)
Note: For more depth knowledge you can check PHP Serializing Data article.
