PHP Two-Dimensional Associative Array Implode

Question

I'd like to store the following array in a single text field in a mySQL table:

$user_rating[0] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 1', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[1] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 2', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[2] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 3', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[3] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 4', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[4] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 5', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[5] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 6', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

$user_rating[6] = array('percent' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX', 
                    'category' => 'Category 7', 
                    'description' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'link' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX',
                    'thumbnail' => 'XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX');

I believe I need to implode the associative arrays as well to accomplish this but am having some trouble.

Any other/better array structure solutions are also welcomed.

Thanks

Explosion Pills · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-09 07:14:38Z

2

First, you don't need to specify ordered numeric keys, just write:

$user_rating[] = array();

Second, why would you want to store the entire array as a string? Why not just store each of its fields as s column? Is this not an option?

Third, you can store serialized arrays (or any data, for that matter) in the DB.

serialize($user_rating);
store_to_db();
...
$handler = unserialize(get_data_out());

If you want to store it as a straight up string, however, that's a bit more complicated. You would have to cycle through the array and append the keys and values individually.

answered Oct 9, 2010 at 7:14

Explosion Pills

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9 Comments

Kenny Powers Over a year ago

Thanks. I actually tried to store it as serialized data but receive the following error message: You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 's time to begin the process of dominating your market. Don't just settle for thi' at line 1 Here's the code: $serialized_user_rating = serialize($user_rating); $q = "INSERT INTO marketing_roadmap (user_name, roadmap) VALUES ('$user_name', '$serialized_user_rating')"; mysql_query($q) or die(mysql_error());

Kenny Powers Over a year ago

I'm not planning to store all the data in the table because it's static (Same for each user). Basically, I just need to store/save the ORDER of the categories for each user.

Your Common Sense Over a year ago

@Kenny don't you know that strings should be escaped in query?

Kenny Powers Over a year ago

Yes, I know, thanks...I'm just getting the structure done on my local server

Explosion Pills Over a year ago

yes, you must escape the data first. I'm used to this being a natural occurrence by use of a DB wrapper. Not mandatory, but suggested. $serialized = mysql_real_escape_string(serialize($data));

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Alec · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-09 14:58:06Z

1

You can use PHP's serialize to convert the array to a single string. When you retrieve it from the database you can use unserialize to convert it back to the array.

answered Oct 9, 2010 at 14:58

Alec

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Comments

Your Common Sense · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-09 07:08:42Z

0

There is a better solution for sure.
Store this data as a separate records in a dedicated table.
That's what relational databases are for.

answered Oct 9, 2010 at 7:08

Your Common Sense

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Comments

methode · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-09 15:05:15Z

0

Have you considered JSON? It might be your best bet if you want to stick to a single field.

PHP - JavaScript Object Notation

edit: Or even better, read (and vote) for the comment below, because serialize is a native function.

edited Oct 9, 2010 at 15:05

answered Oct 9, 2010 at 14:56

methode

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2 Comments

lonesomeday Over a year ago

+1 for suggesting serialisation. However, native serialize would be better in most cases.

methode Over a year ago

+1 for reminding me there's such function. Long time no PHP :)

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