Q:

Storing an array in a MySQL table

I have a 5 level multidimensional array. The number of keys in the array fluctuates but I need to store it in a database so I can access it with PHP later on. Are there any easy ways to do this?
My idea was to convert the array into a single string using several different delimiters like #* and %* and then using a series of explode() to convert the data back into an array when I need it.
I haven't written any code at this point because I'm hoping there will be a better way to do this. But I do have a potential solution which I tried to outline below:
here's an overview of my array:
n=button number
i=item number
btn[n][0]               = button name
btn[n][1]               = button desc
btn[n][2]               = success or not (Y or N)
btn[n][3]               = array containing item info
    btn[n][3][i][0]     = item intput type (Default/Preset/UserTxt/UserDD)
    btn[n][3][i][1]     = array containing item value - if more than one index then display as drop down

Here's a run-down of the delimiters I was going to use:
#*Button Title                      //button title
    &*val1=*usr1234                 //items and values
    &*val2=*FROM_USER(_TEXT_$*name:)        //if an items value contains "FROM_USER" then extract the data between the perenthesis
    &*val3=*FROM_USER(_TEXT_$*Time:)        //if the datatype contains _TEXT_ then explode AGAIN by $* and just display a textfield with the title
    &*val4=*FROM_USER($*name1@*value1$*name2@*value2)       //else explode AGAIN by $* for a list of name value pairs which represent a drop box - name2@*value2

//sample string - a single button
#*Button Title%*val1=*usr1234&*val2=*FROM_USER(_TEXT_$*name:)&*val3=*FROM_USER(_TEXT_$*date:)&*val4=*FROM_USER($*name1@*value1$*name2@*value2)

In summary, I am seeking some ideas of how to store a multidimensional array in a single database table.

A:

Have a look at serialize or json_encode

A:

What you want is a data serialization method. Don't invent your own, there are plenty already out there. The most obvious candidates are JSON (json_encode) or the PHP specific serialize. XML is also an option, especially if your database may support it natively to some degree.

