Short or long array syntax?

Short `[]` syntax by default (PHP 5.4+). Toggle to `array()` form if you target PHP < 5.4 — rare today but supported for legacy code.

How are nested objects handled?

Associative arrays all the way down. PHP has no object literal distinct from an array for data — both are arrays.

What about true/false/null?

Direct PHP equivalents: `true`, `false`, `null`. Case matters in PHP; the tool emits lowercase forms.

Does it escape special characters?

Yes — single quotes and backslashes inside string values are escaped. Output is ready to paste into PHP source.

JSON → PHP Array | DevTools Surf

DevTools Surf

Example: JSON → PHP Array

A worked example, rendered from real sample data. Sign in to run the tool on your own input.

Input

{"product":"Laptop","price":1299.99,"inStock":true,"specs":{"cpu":"M3","ram":16},"colors":["silver","space-gray"]}

Output

<?php
$data = [
    'product' => 'Laptop',
    'price' => 1299.99,
    'inStock' => true,
    'specs' => [
        'cpu' => 'M3',
        'ram' => 16
    ],
    'colors' => [
        'silver',
        'space-gray'
    ]
];

About JSON → PHP Array

JSON → PHP Array preview - Converters tool

Convert JSON to a PHP 5.4+ short-syntax associative array. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Converters collection.

Use Cases

PHP developers converting JSON API docs into PHP array config files
Laravel developers generating array fixtures from JSON test data
WordPress plugin developers converting JSON settings into PHP arrays
Backend teams migrating JSON configuration into PHP config format

Tips

Paste JSON to get PHP 5.4+ short array syntax with => key-value pairs
Nested objects become nested associative arrays automatically
Copy the output directly into PHP configuration or fixture files

Fun Facts

PHP's short array syntax ([]) was added in PHP 5.4 (2012), replacing the verbose array() constructor. It took the PHP community years to stop using the old syntax.
PHP arrays are actually ordered hash maps — they maintain insertion order and support both integer and string keys in the same array, unlike most other languages.
PHP was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 as a set of CGI scripts called 'Personal Home Page Tools.' It now powers over 77% of websites with a known server-side language.

FAQ

Short or long array syntax?: Short `[]` syntax by default (PHP 5.4+). Toggle to `array()` form if you target PHP < 5.4 — rare today but supported for legacy code.
How are nested objects handled?: Associative arrays all the way down. PHP has no object literal distinct from an array for data — both are arrays.
What about true/false/null?: Direct PHP equivalents: `true`, `false`, `null`. Case matters in PHP; the tool emits lowercase forms.
Does it escape special characters?: Yes — single quotes and backslashes inside string values are escaped. Output is ready to paste into PHP source.

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