(PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7)
parse_str — Parses the string into variables
$encoded_string
[, array &$result
] )
Parses encoded_string as if it were the query string
passed via a URL and sets variables in the current scope (or in the array
if result is provided).
encoded_stringThe input string.
result
If the second parameter result is present,
variables are stored in this variable as array elements instead.
Using this function without second parameter is DISCOURAGED. Dynamically setting variables in function's scope suffers from exactly same problems as register_globals.
Read section on security of Using Register Globals explaining why it is dangerous.
No value is returned.
Example #1 Using parse_str()
<?php
// Recommended
parse_str($str, $output);
echo $output['first']; // value
echo $output['arr'][0]; // foo bar
echo $output['arr'][1]; // baz
$str = "first=value&arr[]=foo+bar&arr[]=baz";
parse_str($str);
echo $first; // value
echo $arr[0]; // foo bar
echo $arr[1]; // baz
?>
Because variables in PHP can't have dots and spaces in their names,
those are converted to underscores. Same applies to naming of
respective key names in case of using this function with
result parameter.
Example #2 parse_str() name mangling
<?php
parse_str($"My Value=Something");
echo $My_Value; // Something
parse_str($"My Value=Something", $output);
echo $output['My_Value']; // Something
?>
Note:
All variables created (or values returned into array if second parameter is set) are already urldecode()d.
Note:
To get the current QUERY_STRING, you may use the variable $_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']. Also, you may want to read the section on variables from external sources.
Note:
The magic_quotes_gpc setting affects the output of this function, as parse_str() uses the same mechanism that PHP uses to populate the $_GET, $_POST, etc. variables.