Encoding an array with JSON; getting "illegal offset type" error

Question

I am trying to use a getJSON method in jquery to retrieve a dynamic array. I am getting an "illegal" offset error trying to encode my dynamic array. Here is the server side code (I am confident the javascript is correct because when I remove the query it runs fine):

<?php 
session_start();
require_once "database.php";
db_connect();
require_once "auth.php";
$current_user = current_user();
include_once("config.php");

$westcoast_id = $_GET['westcoast_id'];

$westcoast_array = array();


 $query = "SELECT city, state FROM users GROUP BY city";
 $result = mysql_query($query) or die(mysql_error());
 while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)){

if($row['city'] != '' && $row['state'] != '') {
    $westcoast_array[$row] = "location:".$row['city'].", ".$row['state'].", stopover:true";


   }

}

$data = array($westcoast_id, $westcoast_array);

echo json_encode($data);


?>

The illegal offset is in reference to the line:

$westcoast_array[$row] = "location:".$row['city'].", ".$row['state'].", stopover:true";

I cannot see what the issue is. Thank you for your help!

$row is an array. How is it supposed to work as a key for another array? — user1233508
– user1233508, Commented Mar 1, 2013 at 21:39
Absolutely nothing to do with json. this is purely a PHP problem - you're using an incorrect array key inside your fetch loop, exactly as @DCoder is pointing out above. — Marc B
– Marc B, Commented Mar 1, 2013 at 21:40
It also looks like your json will have issues. Using a comma in the location value without enclosing it in quotes. — Aglystas
– Aglystas, Commented Mar 1, 2013 at 21:43

Green Black · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-01 21:39:14Z

1

 $westcoast_array[$row] = [...]

is wrong. (you cannot use an array as a key)

Simply use:

$westcoast_array[] = [...]

answered Mar 1, 2013 at 21:39

Green Black

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1 Comment

user1072337 Over a year ago

Thank you for this. This was my problem.

Brane · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-25 06:51:46Z

0

Try using:

if($row['city'] != '' && $row['state'] != '') {
    $westcoast_array[] = "location:".$row['city'].", ".$row['state'].", stopover:true";
}

or

if($row['city'] != '' && $row['state'] != '') {
    $westcoast_array[$row['state']][$row['city']] = "location:".$row['city'].", ".$row['state'].", stopover:true";
}

And then you can use var_dump($westcoast_array) to see the structure.

edited Jul 25, 2018 at 6:51

Brane

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answered Mar 1, 2013 at 21:45

user399666

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