javascript - How to return an array from an AJAX call?

Question

I'm searching for a better solution to making an AJAX call with jQuery, having the PHP file return an array, and have it come out client-side as a Javascript array. Here is what I have been doing this:

PHP File (Example.php):

<?php
    $id_numbers = array('NES-ZL','NES-AL','SNS-ZL');

    for ($i=0; $i<count($the_array); $i++){
        echo $id_numbers[$i];
        echo '|';
    }
?>

JS File:

id_numbers = new Array();
$.ajax({
    url:"Example.php",
    type:"POST",
    success:function(msg){
        id_numbers = msg.split('|');
    }
});

My current method is just a little too convoluted for my taste.

What I'd like to do is to be able to just

return $id_numbers;

on the PHP side and directly translate it to a Javascript array after the AJAX call.

Ideas, anyone?

Answer 1

Use JSON to transfer data types (arrays and objects) between client and server.

In PHP:

• json_encode
• json_decode

In JavaScript:

• JSON.stringify
• JSON.parse

PHP:

echo json_encode($id_numbers);

JavaScript:

id_numbers = JSON.parse(msg);

As Wolfgang mentioned, you can give a fourth parameter to jQuery to automatically decode JSON for you.

id_numbers = new Array();
$.ajax({
    url:"Example.php",
    type:"POST",
    success:function(msg){
        id_numbers = msg;
    },
    dataType:"json"
});