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JSON PHP

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JSON is widely used to exchange data between a client (like a web browser) and a server. In PHP, JSON is fully supported, making it easy to encode PHP data into JSON for sending to a client or decode JSON received from a client.

Why JSON with PHP?

PHP is a server-side language, and when building APIs or dynamic web applications, you often need to send data in JSON format. JSON is lightweight, human-readable, and compatible with JavaScript, making it ideal for web communication.

Encode PHP arrays or objects into JSON.
Decode JSON strings into PHP arrays or objects.
Communicate with front-end applications using AJAX or fetch APIs.

JSON Encoding in PHP

To convert PHP data into JSON, you use the built-in function json_encode().

Example 1: PHP Array to JSON

<?php
$user = array(
    "name" => "Vicky",
    "age" => 28,
    "isDeveloper" => true
);

$jsonData = json_encode($user);
echo $jsonData;
?>

Output:

{"name":"Vicky","age":28,"isDeveloper":true}

Explanation:

json_encode() converts a PHP associative array into a JSON string.
This JSON can now be sent to a browser or stored in a file.

Example 2: PHP Object to JSON

<?php
class User {
    public $name;
    public $age;
    public $isDeveloper;

    function __construct($name, $age, $isDeveloper) {
        $this->name = $name;
        $this->age = $age;
        $this->isDeveloper = $isDeveloper;
    }
}

$user = new User("Sanjana", 26, false);
echo json_encode($user);
?>

Output:

{"name":"Sanjana","age":26,"isDeveloper":false}

PHP objects are automatically converted into JSON objects.

JSON Decoding in PHP

To convert JSON received from a client into PHP data, use json_decode().

Example 1: Decode JSON into PHP Array

<?php
$jsonString = '{"name":"Vicky","age":28,"isDeveloper":true}';
$user = json_decode($jsonString, true); // true converts it into an associative array

echo $user["name"]; // Output: Vicky

Example 2: Decode JSON into PHP Object

<?php
$jsonString = '{"name":"Sanjana","age":26,"isDeveloper":false}';
$user = json_decode($jsonString); // default is object

echo $user->name; // Output: Sanjana

The second parameter of json_decode() determines whether the result is an associative array (true) or an object (false or default).

Working with JSON Arrays

You can encode and decode arrays of data as well.

Example: Array of Users

<?php
$users = array(
    array("name" => "Vicky", "age" => 28),
    array("name" => "Sanjana", "age" => 26)
);

echo json_encode($users);
?>

Output:

[
  {"name":"Vicky","age":28},
  {"name":"Sanjana","age":26}
]

Decoding this JSON back into PHP:

<?php
$jsonString = '[{"name":"Vicky","age":28},{"name":"Sanjana","age":26}]';
$users = json_decode($jsonString, true);

foreach ($users as $user) {
    echo $user["name"] . "\n";
}

Output:

Vicky
Sanjana

Sending JSON from PHP to Client

When sending JSON data via PHP to a browser or front-end application, set the correct header:

<?php
header('Content-Type: application/json');

$data = array("message" => "Hello from PHP", "status" => true);
echo json_encode($data);
?>

header('Content-Type: application/json') tells the browser that the response is in JSON format.
This is important when using AJAX or fetch to receive data.

Receiving JSON Data in PHP

Front-end applications often send JSON via POST requests. You can read and decode it in PHP:

<?php
// Read raw POST data
$jsonData = file_get_contents("php://input");

// Convert JSON to PHP array
$data = json_decode($jsonData, true);

echo "Hello, " . $data["name"];
?>

If a front-end sends this JSON:

{"name":"Vicky","age":28}

The output will be:

Hello, Vicky

Real-World Example: Simple API with PHP

Suppose you want to create a simple API endpoint that returns users:

<?php
header('Content-Type: application/json');

$users = array(
    array("id" => 1, "name" => "Vicky", "age" => 28),
    array("id" => 2, "name" => "Sanjana", "age" => 26)
);

echo json_encode($users);
?>

From the front-end, you can fetch the data:

fetch("users.php")
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

Output in console:

[
  {"id":1,"name":"Vicky","age":28},
  {"id":2,"name":"Sanjana","age":26}
]

Tips When Working with JSON in PHP

Always set the header to application/json for API responses.
Validate JSON when decoding to avoid errors:

$data = json_decode($jsonString, true);
if (json_last_error() !== JSON_ERROR_NONE) {
    echo "Invalid JSON";
}

Use associative arrays if you prefer working with array syntax ($data['name']) instead of object syntax ($data->name).
Encode PHP objects carefully; private properties are not included by default.

Summary of the Tutorial

json_encode() converts PHP arrays or objects into JSON strings.
json_decode() converts JSON strings into PHP arrays or objects.
Set Content-Type: application/json when sending JSON to clients.
JSON arrays and objects are fully supported.
PHP and JSON work together seamlessly for API development, front-end integration, and AJAX communication.
Always validate and handle errors when decoding JSON from clients.

JSON in PHP makes it easy to build APIs, exchange data, and integrate front-end applications without complications.

Practice Questions

Create a PHP associative array with keys name, age, and isDeveloper. Convert it to JSON using json_encode() and print it.
Create a PHP object for a user with name, age, and city. Convert the object to JSON and print it.
Decode this JSON string into a PHP associative array and print the name:

'{"name":"Sanjana","age":26,"isDeveloper":false}'

Decode the same JSON string into a PHP object and print the age using object syntax.
Create a PHP array of two users (each user is an associative array with name and age) and encode it into a JSON array.
Write a PHP script that reads JSON from a POST request using file_get_contents("php://input") and prints a greeting using the name key.
Set the header to application/json and send a JSON response with a status and message key.
Decode a JSON array of users and loop through it to print each user’s name. Example JSON:

'[{"name":"Vicky","age":28},{"name":"Sanjana","age":26}]'

Create a PHP script that validates a JSON string using json_last_error() and prints "Valid JSON" or "Invalid JSON".
Encode a nested PHP array containing a user and their address (city and zipcode) into JSON and print the result.

← Previous Next →

Programming Language

Web Development

Other Languages

Programming Language

Web Development

Other Languages

JavaScript

JSON PHP

Why JSON with PHP?

JSON Encoding in PHP

Example 1: PHP Array to JSON

Example 2: PHP Object to JSON

JSON Decoding in PHP

Example 1: Decode JSON into PHP Array

Example 2: Decode JSON into PHP Object

Working with JSON Arrays

Example: Array of Users

Sending JSON from PHP to Client

Receiving JSON Data in PHP

Real-World Example: Simple API with PHP

Tips When Working with JSON in PHP

Summary of the Tutorial

Practice Questions

JavaScript

Quick Links

Our Tutorials

Programming Language

Web Development

Other Languages

Programming Language

Web Development

Other Languages

JavaScript

JSON PHP

Why JSON with PHP?

JSON Encoding in PHP

Example 1: PHP Array to JSON

Example 2: PHP Object to JSON

JSON Decoding in PHP

Example 1: Decode JSON into PHP Array

Example 2: Decode JSON into PHP Object

Working with JSON Arrays

Example: Array of Users

Sending JSON from PHP to Client

Receiving JSON Data in PHP

Real-World Example: Simple API with PHP

Tips When Working with JSON in PHP

Summary of the Tutorial

Practice Questions

JavaScript

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Quick Links

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