The json_encode Function

The json_encode function converts PHP variables (arrays, objects, strings, numbers) into a JSON format string. Its first parameter accepts the value to be encoded, the second (optional) - flags for configuring the encoding process, the third - the transformation depth.

Syntax

phpjson_encode(mixed $value, [int $flags = 0], [int $depth = 512]): string|false

Example

Let's convert a simple array to JSON:

php<?php
  $arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
  echo json_encode($arr);
?>

Code execution result:

php'[1,2,3,4,5]'

Example

Let's convert an associative array to JSON:

php<?php
  $arr = ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3];
  echo json_encode($arr);
?>

Code execution result:

php'{"a":1,"b":2,"c":3}'

Example

Using the JSON_PRETTY_PRINT flag for pretty formatting:

php<?php
  $arr = ['a' => 1, 'b' => 2, 'c' => 3];
  echo json_encode($arr, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT);
?>

Code execution result:

php'{
  "a": 1,
  "b": 2,
  "c": 3
}'

See Also