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                                   serialize

   (PHP 3>= 3.0.5, PHP 4 )
   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.

   When serializing objects, PHP will attempt to call the member function
   __sleep() prior to serialization. This is to allow the object to do
   any last minute clean-up, etc. prior to being serialized. Likewise,
   when the object is restored using unserialize() the __wakeup() member
   function is called.

     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
   <?php
   // $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.. */
       }
   }
   ?>

   See Also: unserialize().
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