PHP explode() Function

The PHP explode() function returns an array of strings, each element of which is a substring of the given string formed by splitting it using specified separator string.

Note: Since PHP 8.0.0, explode() will now throw ValueError when separator parameter is provided as an empty string ("").

Note: This function is binary-safe.

Syntax

explode(separator, string, limit)

Parameters

`separator`	`Required.` Specify the separator string used for splitting the string.
`string`	`Required.` Specify the input string.
`limit`	`Optional.` Specify the number of elements in the returned array. Greater than 0: The returned array contains a maximum of limit elements with the last element containing the rest of string. Less than 0: The returned array contains all components except the last -limit elements. 0: The returned array contains only one element.

Return Value

Returns an array of strings created by splitting the given string using separator string.

If separator is an empty string (""), explode() will return false. If separator contains a value that is not contained in the string and a negative limit is used, then an empty array will be returned, otherwise an array containing string will be returned. If separator values appear at the start or end of string, said values will be added as an empty array value either in the first or last position of the returned array respectively.

Example: explode() example

The example below shows the usage of explode() function.

<?php
$str = "one|two|three|four|five";

//no limit 
echo "No limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str));

//zero limit
echo "\nZero limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, 0));

//negative limit
echo "\nNegative limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, -2));

//positive limit
echo "\nPositive limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, 3));
?>

The output of the above code will be:

No limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => one
    [1] => two
    [2] => three
    [3] => four
    [4] => five
)

Zero limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => one|two|three|four|five
)

Negative limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => one
    [1] => two
    [2] => three
)

Positive limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => one
    [1] => two
    [2] => three|four|five
)

Example: using limit parameter

Consider one more example where the string starts and ends with the given sperator string.

<?php
$str = "|one|two|three|";

//no limit 
echo "No limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str));

//zero limit
echo "\nZero limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, 0));

//negative limit
echo "\nNegative limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, -2));

//positive limit
echo "\nPositive limit: \n";
print_r(explode('|', $str, 3));
?>

The output of the above code will be:

No limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => 
    [1] => one
    [2] => two
    [3] => three
    [4] => 
)

Zero limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => |one|two|three|
)

Negative limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => 
    [1] => one
    [2] => two
)

Positive limit: 
Array
(
    [0] => 
    [1] => one
    [2] => two|three|
)

❮ PHP String Reference