Easily serialize and deserialize data in PHP with our versatile PHP Serializer and Deserializer tool. This online utility is perfect for developers looking to convert complex data structures into storable strings and retrieve them back into their original form. Ensure accurate and efficient data handling without any software installation. Enhance your PHP development workflow with this user-friendly and reliable tool.
To serialize data in PHP, input your data structure (array, object, or scalar value) into the provided field and click the Serialize button. The tool converts complex data structures into a storable string format using PHP's serialization protocol, creating a representation that can be saved to files, databases, or transmitted over networks.
To deserialize data in PHP, input the serialized string (typically starting with format indicators like a:, s:, or O:) into the provided field and click the Deserialize button. The tool converts the string back into its original data structure, reconstructing arrays, objects, and values exactly as they were before serialization.
Serialization converts complex data structures into storable strings, enabling persistent data storage in files or databases, data transmission across networks, session data storage, caching mechanisms, message queue payloads, and preserving object state between requests. Deserialization retrieves the original data for continued use.
PHP serializes strings, integers, floats, booleans, arrays, objects, and NULL values. It preserves array keys, object properties (public, protected, private), nested structures, and data types. However, resources (like database connections or file handles) cannot be serialized and require special handling.
Yes, PHP object injection attacks can occur when deserializing untrusted data. Attackers can craft malicious serialized strings triggering code execution through magic methods (__wakeup, __destruct). Never unserialize user input or external data without validation. Use JSON for untrusted data or implement allowed_classes restrictions.
Yes, PHP serializes custom objects preserving all properties and their values. However, class definitions must be loaded before deserialization to reconstruct objects correctly. Use autoloading, include class files, or implement __sleep() and __wakeup() magic methods for custom serialization behavior.
PHP serialize() preserves exact data types, private/protected properties, and object class information but only works in PHP. JSON is language-agnostic, readable, web-friendly, and works across all languages but loses private properties and doesn't preserve precise PHP types. Use serialize() for PHP-only storage; JSON for APIs and interoperability.
PHP automatically serializes session data ($_SESSION) for storage between requests. When you store arrays or objects in sessions, PHP serializes them to files or databases, then deserializes on subsequent page loads. This enables maintaining user state, shopping carts, and authentication across page visits.
Yes, store serialized data in TEXT or BLOB database columns. However, serialized data prevents efficient querying, indexing, and searching. Use serialization for complete objects stored as single units, but prefer JSON or normalized tables when you need to query individual fields or maintain data relationships.
Serialized data uses format prefixes: s:5:"hello" (string), i:42 (integer), a:2:{...} (array), O:4:"User" (object). Numbers indicate length or count. The format is compact but not human-readable. Use our tool to convert between readable JSON and PHP serialized format for debugging and data manipulation.
Deserialize the data to inspect its structure, use print_r() or var_dump() on deserialized values, convert to JSON for readability, check for incomplete serialization or corruption, verify class availability for objects, and use our tool to visualize and understand complex serialized structures.
Standard PHP serialization doesn't support closures. Use packages like Opis Closure or Laravel's SerializableClosure for this functionality. Regular functions and methods in objects can be serialized if they're defined in classes, but anonymous functions require special handling.
__sleep() runs before serialization, returning array of properties to serialize (useful for excluding certain data). __wakeup() runs after deserialization for initialization. __serialize() and __unserialize() (PHP 7.4+) offer more control. Implement these for custom serialization behavior in your classes.
Deserialize existing PHP data, convert to arrays/stdClass objects, then JSON encode. Update code to use json_encode()/json_decode() instead of serialize()/unserialize(). JSON is more secure, readable, and compatible, though you'll lose private properties and exact type preservation that serialization provides.
