How to decode string 'a:2:{i:0;s:12:"Sample array";i:1;a:2:{i:0;s:5:"Apple";i:1; s:6:"Orange";}}'?

Question

PHP

Given a string like this 'a:2:{i:0;s:12:"Sample array";i:1;a:2:{i:0;s:5:"Apple";i:1; s:6:"Orange";}}' I can't make a normal array out of it. What does there is a site that easily turns it online into an array. But the functions by which it does this are not described. I really need help. var_dump(json_decode($json)); produces NUll

Answer 1

ideone.com/onJwLh

Answer 2

Thank you!

Answer 3

If this is issued by the API, then the programmer's hands should be torn off for this. it's not even json

Answer 4

unserialize() - converts to an array