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# serialize

(3.0.5 - 3.0.18 only, PHP 4 >= 4.0.0)

serialize -- Generates a storable representation of a value

## Description

``string serialize` (mixed value)`

serialize() returns a string containing a byte-stream representation of `value` that can be stored anywhere.

This is useful for storing or passing PHP values around without losing their type and structure.

To make the serialized string into a PHP value again, use unserialize(). serialize() handles all types, except the resource-type. You can even serialize() arrays that contain references to itself. References inside the array/object you are serialize()ing will also be stored.

> Note: In PHP 3, object properties will be serialized, but methods are lost. PHP 4 removes that limitation and restores both properties and methods. Please see the Serializing Objects section of Classes and Objects for more information.

Example 1. serialize() example
    // $session_data contains a multi-dimensional array with session
    // information for the current user.  We use serialize() to store
    // it in a database at the end of the request.

    $conn = odbc_connect ("webdb", "php", "chicken");
    $stmt = odbc_prepare ($conn,
          "UPDATE sessions SET data = ? WHERE id = ?");
    $sqldata = array (serialize($session_data), $PHP_AUTH_USER);
    if (!odbc_execute ($stmt, &$sqldata)) {
        $stmt = odbc_prepare($conn,
         "INSERT INTO sessions (id, data) VALUES(?, ?)");
        if (!odbc_execute($stmt, &$sqldata)) {
        /* Something went wrong.  Bitch, whine and moan. */
        }
    }

See Also: unserialize().

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