json_decode()

json_decode() — Decodes a JSON string.

json_decode() — Takes a JSON encoded string and converts it into a PHP value.

Inputs: json: The json string being decoded. This function only works with UTF-8 encoded strings. associative: When true, JSON objects will be returned as associative arrays; when false, JSON objects will be returned as objects. When null, JSON objects will be returned as associative arrays or objects depending on whether JSON_OBJECT_AS_ARRAY is set in the flags. depth: Maximum nesting depth of the structure being decoded. The value must be greater than 0, and less than or equal to 2147483647. flags: Bitmask of JSON_BIGINT_AS_STRING, JSON_INVALID_UTF8_IGNORE, JSON_INVALID_UTF8_SUBSTITUTE, JSON_OBJECT_AS_ARRAY, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR. The behaviour of these constants is described on the JSON constants page.

Returns: Returns the value encoded in json as an appropriate PHP type. Unquoted values true, false and null are returned as true, false and null respectively. null is returned if the json cannot be decoded or if the encoded data is deeper than the nesting limit.