Convert JSON data from multiple nested array to PHP variables

Question

I have a JSON array in an array:

{
 layouts: [
    {
      w: 6,
      h: 4,
      x: 0,
      y: 0,
      i: "n0",
      minW: 1.5,
      minH: 1,
      maxH: 1000,
      moved: false,
      static: false,
      widget: "Clock"
    },
    {
      w: 2,
      h: 2,
      x: 0,
      y: 4,
      i: "n1",
      minW: 1,
      minH: 1,
      maxH: 1000,
      moved: false,
      static: false,
      widget: "Weather"
     }
  ]
}

I need to store each widget layout in a database. When I'm trying to execute the query It returns an error that the values are empty. I tried some examples from here but they don't work for me.

function:

public function store(Request $request)
{

    $JSON = json_decode($request);

    foreach (array($JSON) as $data) {

        $i = 0;

        $w = $data[$i]['w'];
        $h = $data[$i]['h'];
        $x = $data[$i]['x'];
        $y = $data[$i]['y'];
        $i = $data[$i]['i'];
        $minW = $data[$i]['minW'];
        $minH = $data[$i]['minH'];
        $maxH = $data[$i]['maxH'];
        $moved = $data[$i]['moved'];
        $static = $data[$i]['static'];
        $type = $data[$i]['type'];

        DB::table('widgets')->insert(
            ['w' => $w,
             'h' => $h,
             'x' => $x,
             'y' => $y,
             'i' => $i,
             'minW' => $minW,
             'minH' => $minH,
             'maxH' => $maxH,
             'moved' => $moved,
             'static' => $static,
             'type_widget' => $type]
        );

        $i++;

    }

    return response()->json(201);
}

Could anyone tell me what is the correct way to loop through the data to save it?

first of all remove $i = 0; there, because that way you don't iterate through the array, move it above the foreach — sietse85
– sietse85, Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 12:11
Have you also removed all of the [$i] in $data[$i]['w'] etc? — Nigel Ren
– Nigel Ren, Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 12:14
json_decode without second parameter decodes to object, so every $data is object. — u_mulder
– u_mulder, Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 12:15
btw try json_decode($request, true) to return the data in an assoc array it will save converting each reocrd thereafter — Barry
– Barry, Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 12:15

Sven Hakvoort · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-10 12:44:53Z

3

You need to use json_decode($array, true) the second argument (true) indicates that the input string needs to be converted to an associative array, resulting in the correct parsing of your JSON.

You can also extract the JSON directly from the Request with $request->all(). I would recommend this approach as this is a lot easier and the array will always be correctly parsed. Decoding the Request object could result in a different array formatting than you originally submitted (contain data of the Request object itself in addition to your data).

edited Oct 10, 2018 at 12:44

answered Oct 10, 2018 at 12:16

Sven Hakvoort

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7 Comments

Baspa Over a year ago

When i'm trying to use getBody() it says: Method Illuminate\Http\Request::getBody does not exist. Do I have to add something extra to the code in order to use it?

Sven Hakvoort Over a year ago

@Baspa, sorry I accidentaly used the wrong Request class from another php library I use xD. I updated my answer with the correct method

Baspa Over a year ago

No problem thanks for updating your answer. Should I write it like this $array = $request-all() before decoding it?

Sven Hakvoort Over a year ago

@Baspa, you can do that if you prefer it for readability but it is not required :) also dont forget to add the > after - so it is like this: -> ;)

Baspa Over a year ago

I added the code but now it says: json_decode() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given. Any idea on how to fix this?

|

sietse85 · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-10 17:27:43Z

1

When you succeed with Sven Hakvoorts answer, here is a shorter version of your foreach

$i = 0;
$data = json_decode($request, true);
while (isset($data['layouts'][$i])) {
    DB::table('widgets')->insert($data['layouts'][$i]);
    $i++;
}

Even shorter (and best way):

foreach ($data['layouts'] as $row) {
    DB::table('widgets')->insert($row);
}

I think you will have to rename just one column to make this short code work: type_widget to type, this way your fields and column names are equal which results in a lot shorter code as you can see.

edited Oct 10, 2018 at 17:27

answered Oct 10, 2018 at 12:17

sietse85

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10 Comments

Baspa Over a year ago

Thanks for the shorter version of the foreach. I tried your code but it says: array_keys() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given. I changed type_widget to type.

Nigel Ren Over a year ago

You could shorten it even more to DB::table('widgets')->insert($data);

Baspa Over a year ago

It says: ::insert() must be of the type array, null given @NigelRen

Baspa Over a year ago

Seems like $data isn't an array but how is that possible

Nigel Ren Over a year ago

I think $data is just the one record of data.

|

sangamesh · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-10 12:18:09Z

0

1.

$JSON = json_decode($request);

change it to

$JSON = json_decode($request,true);

2. remove $i=0 from foreach loop and place it at befor foreach loop

answered Oct 10, 2018 at 12:18

sangamesh

214 bronze badges

1 Comment

sangamesh Over a year ago

when you convert it to array use simple for loop and try

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