Array to string conversion error when using implode

Question

I'm confused about an error I am getting stating Array to string conversion

The reason I'm confused is I'm trying to do exactly that, convert an array to a string, using implode which according to the manual should allow me to convert my array into a string. So why am I getting an error?

var $matches is an array. $error_c is the var I want to store the string.

print_r($matches); // prints the array correctly
$error_c = implode(',', $matches);
echo $error_c;

Outputs simply array and gives:

Notice: Array to string conversion in ...

The manual states that implode — Join array elements with a string so why do I get an error when I try to do it?

Edit: this is the output I get from $matches

Array ( [0] => Array ( [0] => C [1] => E [2] => R [3] => R [4] => O [5] => R [6] => C [7] => O [8] => N [9] => T [10] => A [11] => C [12] => T [13] => S [14] => U [15] => P [16] => P [17] => R [18] => E [19] => S [20] => S [21] => E [22] => D ) )

the element of your array should be string or have __toString capability — George G
– George G, Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 8:43
$matches is an array . then how can u implode the whole array $matches without exploding it, if not then u have to mention with index array like $matches[0] — user3697634
– user3697634, Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 9:13
This is a specific error encountered by folks sometimes when dealing with PHP - it's not broad at all. The error is literally "array to string conversion" on the specific line of code with "implode". I disagree with the closing of the question on this basis. In fact, I landed on this question precisely because its wording exactly matched the error I was looking for, and the answer helped me solved it. It's not too broad. — Dan Nissenbaum
– Dan Nissenbaum, Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 8:59

lpg · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-19 08:43:01Z

45

You have an array of arrays... Try this:

$error_c = implode(',', $matches[0]);

answered Sep 19, 2014 at 8:43

lpg

4,9371 gold badge18 silver badges16 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Mad Angle · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-19 08:43:47Z

14

$error_c = implode(',', $matches[0]);
echo $error_c;

because your array contains arrays inside

answered Sep 19, 2014 at 8:43

Mad Angle

2,3301 gold badge18 silver badges33 bronze badges

Comments

Yves Kipondo · Accepted Answer · 2020-12-04 12:56:43Z

The issue is due to the fact that you are call implode on an Array which is two dimensionnal.

Array ( 
    [0] => Array ( 
        [0] => C 
        [1] => E 
        [2] => R 
        [3] => R 
        [4] => O 
        [5] => R 
        [6] => C 
        [7] => O 
        [8] => N 
        [9] => T 
        [10] => A 
        // ...
    ) 
)

which is equivalent to

[["C", "E", "R", "R", "O", "R", "C", "O", "N", "..." ]]

What you should do before performing an implode is to flatten the array and after that you can call implode with the flattened array or by calling implode only with the first item in the main array which is an array.

Here is a question which provide guidance to flatten an array How to Flatten a Multidimensional Array?

With a function which allows to flatten an array you can perform the call like this

implode(flatten($array_of_data), $matches);

No need to access the first item only, whatever number of items are in $matches array the flatten function will return a one dimensionnal Array on which you can call implode

Enrique Muñoz Rodas · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-19 08:43:09Z

2

Do that:

print_r($matches); // prints the array correctly
$error_c = implode(',', $matches[0]);
echo $error_c;

answered Sep 19, 2014 at 8:43

Enrique Muñoz Rodas

4615 silver badges11 bronze badges

Comments

Larzan · Accepted Answer · 2020-12-04 12:12:21Z

2

You may use array_values() for array of arrays

e.g. implode (",", array_values($array))

edited Dec 4, 2020 at 12:12

Larzan

9,7364 gold badges44 silver badges41 bronze badges

answered Mar 22, 2019 at 15:36

Mike

861 silver badge8 bronze badges

Comments

Cellphonemega LLC · Accepted Answer · 2022-09-13 07:36:06Z

0

#best way! fast and easy 

$string = 'whatever';
$array = (['new'],['old'],['whatever']);

    for($i = 0;$i < count($array);$i++)
    if(str_contains(json_encode($host),implode(',',$array[$i]))){
    $found = true;
    }if($found == true){echo "found";}else{echo "not found";}

# returns found

answered Sep 13, 2022 at 7:36

Cellphonemega LLC

316 bronze badges

Comments

jmullee · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-11 22:03:41Z

-1

To just put whatever data is in the array into a string, try this

function whatever_to_string($in){
    ob_start();
    print_r($in);
    return ob_get_clean();
    }

The 'ob_*' functions control the output buffer.

http://php.net/manual/en/function.ob-start.php

http://php.net/manual/en/function.ob-get-clean.php

answered Apr 11, 2018 at 22:03

jmullee

4604 silver badges7 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Array to string conversion error when using implode

7 Answers 7

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

7 Answers 7

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related