PHP and JSON

🌐 PHP and JSON Tutorial

PHP can encode and decode JSON data, which is essential for API communication, AJAX requests, and data storage. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format.

1️⃣ Encode PHP Array to JSON

Use json_encode() to convert PHP arrays or objects into a JSON string:

Output:

✅ json_encode() converts PHP associative arrays to JSON objects and indexed arrays to JSON arrays.

2️⃣ Decode JSON to PHP

Use json_decode() to convert a JSON string back to PHP variable:

Decode to associative array:

• The second parameter true converts JSON to associative array instead of object.

3️⃣ JSON with Indexed Arrays

4️⃣ JSON Pretty Print

Use JSON_PRETTY_PRINT for readable JSON format:

Output:

5️⃣ JSON Error Handling

Use json_last_error() to check for encoding/decoding errors:

Output:

6️⃣ Example: PHP & AJAX JSON Communication

PHP Script (data.php):

AJAX Request (JavaScript):

🏁 Summary

• json_encode() → PHP array/object to JSON

• json_decode() → JSON string to PHP array/object

• Use true in json_decode() for associative array

• JSON_PRETTY_PRINT → Makes JSON readable

• json_last_error() → Detect JSON errors

• JSON is commonly used for APIs, AJAX, and data exchange