PHP JSON

Encode and decode JSON for APIs.

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json_encode($value): PHP array/object → JSON string. Add JSON_PRETTY_PRINT for readable output.
json_decode($json, true): JSON → associative array (without true you get objects).
Check errors with json_last_error_msg() or the JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR flag.

To build a JSON API, send the header Content-Type: application/json and echo the encoded data.

Key Takeaways: PHP JSON

Mastering PHP JSON helps you write clean and reliable PHP code. Follow standard conventions, test edge cases, and keep logic simple. Try running the code example below and complete the exercises to build confidence.

PHP JSON Code Example

PHP

<?php
$course = ["title" => "PHP Basics", "lessons" => 25, "free" => true];
$json = json_encode($course);
echo $json . "<br>";

$data = json_decode('{"name":"Sara","skills":["PHP","SQL"]}', true);
echo $data["name"] . " knows " . implode(" and ", $data["skills"]);

Output

{"title":"PHP Basics","lessons":25,"free":true}
Sara knows PHP and SQL

Run this example on your own computer. The "Get Started" lesson shows how to set it up.

PHP JSON Practice Exercises

Check what you learned in “PHP JSON”.

/ 2 solved

Fill in the blank

Turn a JSON string into an associative array.

$data = json_decode($json, );

✓ Correct! Not quite. Try again.

Multiple choice

Which function converts a PHP array to JSON?

json_encode() json_decode() to_json() serialize()

✓ Correct! Not quite. Try again.

to save your exercise progress.

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PHP JSON

💡 Key Takeaways: PHP JSON

PHP JSON Code Example

PHP JSON Practice Exercises

Key Takeaways: PHP JSON