How to return an array from an AJAX call?

Solution 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"
});

Solution 2:

Have a look at json_encode() in PHP. You can get $.ajax to recognize this with the dataType: "json" parameter.

Solution 3:

@Xeon06, nice but just as a fyi for those that read this thread and tried like me... when returning the array from php => json_encode($theArray). converts to a string which to me isn't easy to manipulate esp for soft js users like myself.

Inside js, you are trying to get the array values and/or keys of the array u r better off using JSON.parse as in var jsArray = JSON.parse(data) where data is return array from php. the json encoded string is converted to js object that can now be manipulated easily.

e.g. foo={one:1, two:2, three:3} - gotten after JSON.parse

for (key in foo){ console.log("foo["+ key +"]="+ foo[key]) } - prints to ur firebug console. voila!