json_decode in a multiple object array

Question

I have a JSON array with multiple objects and trying to use json_decode to make an associate array.

Sample data

$json='[{   
         type: "cool",
         category: "power",
         name: "Robert Downey Jr.",
         character: "Tony Stark / Iron Man",
         bio: "cool kid"
     },
       {
         type: "cool",
         category: "power",
         name: "Chris Hemsworth",
         character: "Thor",
         bio: "cool kid"
     },
     {
         type: "NotCool",
         category: "nothing",
         name: "Alexis Denisof",
         character: "The Other",
         bio: "cool kid"
     }]';

Here's what I am doing:

$data = json_decode($json, true);

which gives me a NULL result. What am I doing wrong?

(I'm new to PHP.)

This isn't valid JSON. The keys in the objects need to be quoted, with double quotes ("). Such as: {"type": "NotCool",...}. — gen_Eric
– gen_Eric, Commented Aug 30, 2013 at 14:33
That is not valid JSON. It is a valid JS object initialization, but for JSON, the keys have to be enclosed by " (see http://json.org/). — Sirko
– Sirko, Commented Aug 30, 2013 at 14:34

cHao · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 14:37:24Z

2

Your JSON string is invalid: keys need to be quoted as well. Use JSONlint website, to check JSON validity.

edited Aug 30, 2013 at 14:37

cHao

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answered Aug 30, 2013 at 14:35

Mchl

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2 Comments

Jack M. Over a year ago

Exactly, but you should check this out Mchl: youtube.com/watch?v=13FV1GaA20I

Mchl Over a year ago

Lol. I had probably started writing something else, then changed my mind. I'm not native to English, so I rarely do mix up you're and your ;)

Padmanathan J · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 14:37:24Z

Create Validate Json Try this

<?php
$json='[
    {
        "type": "cool",
        "category": "power",
        "name": "Robert Downey Jr.",
        "character": "Tony Stark / Iron Man",
        "bio": "cool kid"
    },
    {
        "type": "cool",
        "category": "power",
        "name": "Chris Hemsworth",
        "character": "Thor",
        "bio": "cool kid"
    },
    {
        "type": "NotCool",
        "category": "nothing",
        "name": "Alexis Denisof",
        "character": "The Other",
        "bio": "cool kid"
    }
]';
$data = json_decode($json, true);
echo "<pre>" ;
print_r($data);
?>

gen_Eric · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 14:35:16Z

This isn't valid JSON. The keys in the objects need to be quoted, with double quotes (").

It should be:

$json='[{
     "type": "cool",
     "category": "power",
     "name": "Robert Downey Jr.",
     "character": "Tony Stark / Iron Man",
     "bio": "cool kid"
},
{
     "type": "cool",
     "category": "power",
     "name": "Chris Hemsworth",
     "character": "Thor",
     "bio": "cool kid"
},
{
     "type": "NotCool",
     "category": "nothing",
     "name": "Alexis Denisof",
     "character": "The Other",
     "bio": "cool kid"
}]';

Logan Murphy · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 14:36:07Z

1

you need double quotes around property names so it should be

JSON

[{   
    "type" : "cool",
    "category" : "power",
    "name" : "Robert Downey Jr.",
    "character" : "Tony Stark / Iron Man",
    "bio" : "cool kid"
}]

just try

PHP

echo json_encode(array("name" => "Tony Stark"));

and you will see valid json

answered Aug 30, 2013 at 14:36

Logan Murphy

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