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PHP explode() Function with Example

Updated Jan 08, 2020

What is explode() function in PHP

The explode() function is a binary-safe function in PHP, which used to break a string into an array. It breaks the string in various elements and returns them in a form array. 

Syntax

explode(separator,string,limit)

Parameter 

The explode() function takes three parameters one optional and two mandatory.

Parameter Type  Description
separator (mandatory) string type This parameter specifies the critical points where to break the string
string (mandatory) string This parameter specifies the string which is to be split (explode)
limit (optional) integer

This parameter specifies the number of elements in the array. This parameter can be +,- or 0.

  • If set positive: The array is returned will contain a maximum of limit elements. 
  • If set negative: Return all the components except the lat -limit elements.
  • If set zero: returns array with single elements

Notes: 

  • The  limit parameter was added in PHP  version 4.0.1
  • And the support for the negative limit was added in PHP 5.1.0

Return Value

The explode() function return an array created by splitting the string.

Examples of explode() function in PHP

Program 1) Basic Program 

<?php
//PHP Program to illustrate the working of explode function
#Simple Program

//Array Variable
$cars = 'Maruti,Hyundai,Honda,Toyota,JEEP';
//Variable to store the data after explode
$explodeCars = explode(",", $cars);
//Printing the output
print_r($explodeCars);
?> 

Output

Array
(
    [0] => Maruti
    [1] => Hyundai
    [2] => Honda
    [3] => Toyota
    [4] => JEEP
)

Program 2) Advance Program 

<?php
//PHP Program to illustrate the working of explode function
#Modrate level Program

//Array Variable
$cars = 'Maruti,Hyundai,Honda,Toyota,JEEP';

//With positive limit
echo "For Positive limit <br><br>";

//Variable to store the exploded value
$explodeCarsWithPositive = explode(",", $cars, 2);

//For Loop for the itteration to display the output
for($i=0; $i < sizeof($explodeCarsWithPositive); $i++){
 echo $explodeCarsWithPositive[$i]."<br>";
}

//With negative limit
echo "<br><br>For Negative limit <br><br>";

//Variable to store the exploded value
$explodeCarsWithNegative = explode(",", $cars, -2);

//For Loop for the itteration to display the output
for($i=0; $i < sizeof($explodeCarsWithNegative); $i++){
 echo $explodeCarsWithNegative[$i]."<br>";
}

?>

OUTPUT:

For Positive limit

Maruti
Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, JEEP

For Negative limit

Maruti
Hyundai
Honda 

 


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