How to convert an array to a string in PHP
A smooth interplay between different types of variables in PHP can pop up when we write code, which we can achieve with arrays and strings.
The implode() and join() functions
These two functions are built-in functions in PHP. You can use them to format your array contents into a string. This new string variable still holds the type of an array.
However, these functions are not entirely different functions of their own. join() is an alias of the implode() function. Therefore, implode() can be replaced with join() in any usage, and vice versa.
Syntax
implode(string $separator, array $nameOfArray)
To use
join(), just changeimplode()tojoin(), and the rest remains the same.
Explanation
- First, we call the
implodefunction. - The function takes two parameters.
- The first parameter is the separator of the array items to be formatted into a string in a double/single quote. Common separators are space (
""), comma (","), underscore ("_"), the plus sign ("+"), pipe sign (|), and so on. - The second parameter is the name of the array.
- The first parameter is the separator of the array items to be formatted into a string in a double/single quote. Common separators are space (
Note: You can omit the first parameter, but the content of the string will be lumped together as one word.
Code
<?php$index = array('human','high','jump');//printing arrayprint_r($index);//using implode() and join() to join array items$fine = implode("+",$index);$mine = join($index);print "imploded array with + as separator: $fine\n";print "joined array with no separator parameter: $mine\n";?>
Explanation
In the code above, we print an array in line 5. In lines 8 and 9, we use the implode() and join() methods to combine array elements. Then, in lines 11 and 12, we return the new strings.
