Introduction:

In this blog, we will learn how to convert a YAML file to an array in PHP. We will cover the following methods:

• Using the Symfony YAML Component
• Leveraging the Spyc Library
• Employing the Symfony Yaml Parser
• Harnessing the PECL YAML Extension
• Tapping into the yaml_parse() Function

Method 1: Using the Symfony YAML Component

The YAML Component is a strong choice for YAML parsing. Begin by installing it via Composer:

composer require symfony/yaml

Now, let's create a PHP script to demonstrate how to use this component:

<?php
// Method 1: Using the Symfony YAML Component
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Symfony\Component\Yaml\Yaml;

// Load YAML data from a file
$data = Yaml::parseFile('data.yml');

// Print the resulting array
print_r($data);
?>

Sample YAML Data (data.yml):

name: John Doe
age: 30
email: [email protected]

Output:

Array
(
    [name] => John Doe
    [age] => 30
    [email] => [email protected]
)

In this method, we use the Yaml::parseFile() method to read the YAML file and effortlessly convert its contents into a PHP array.

Method 2: Leveraging the Spyc Library

Spyc is a lightweight and intuitive PHP YAML parsing library. Begin by acquiring it using Composer:

composer require mustangostang/spyc

Now, let's demonstrate how to use Spyc to convert YAML to an array:

<?php
// Method 2: Using the Spyc Library
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Spyc;

// Load YAML data from a file
$data = Spyc::YAMLLoad('data.yml');

// Print the resulting array
print_r($data);
?>

Sample YAML Data (data.yml):

fruits:
  - apple
  - banana
  - cherry

Output:

Array
(
    [fruits] => Array
        (
            [0] => apple
            [1] => banana
            [2] => cherry
        )

)

In this method, we utilize the Spyc::YAMLLoad() function to read the YAML file and return its content as a PHP array.

Method 3: Employing the Symfony Yaml Parser

Symfony also offers a YAML parser, distinct from its YAML component. Start by installing the Symfony YAML package as mentioned earlier:

composer require symfony/yaml

Here's how to parse YAML data with the Symfony Yaml Parser:

<?php
// Method 3: Using the Symfony Yaml Parser
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Symfony\Component\Yaml\Parser;

$parser = new Parser();

// Load YAML data from a file
$data = $parser->parseFile('data.yml');

// Print the resulting array
print_r($data);
?>

Sample YAML Data (data.yml):

languages:
  - PHP
  - Python
  - JavaScript

Output:

Array
(
    [languages] => Array
        (
            [0] => PHP
            [1] => Python
            [2] => JavaScript
        )

)

In this method, we create a Parser instance and employ its parseFile() method to convert YAML data into a PHP array.

Method 4: Harnessing the PECL YAML Extension

The PECL YAML extension is a PHP extension that simplifies YAML handling. To use it, install the extension via your preferred method (compiling from source or using a package manager).

Here's how to use the PECL YAML extension:

<?php
// Method 4: Using the PECL YAML Extension

// Check if the PECL YAML extension is loaded
if (extension_loaded('yaml')) {
    // Load YAML data from a file
    $data = yaml_parse_file('data.yml');

    // Print the resulting array
    print_r($data);
} else {
    echo "The PECL YAML extension is not installed.";
}
?>

Sample YAML Data (data.yml):

colors:
  - red
  - green
  - blue

Output:

Array
(
    [colors] => Array
        (
            [0] => red
            [1] => green
            [2] => blue
        )

)

In this method, we first verify if the yaml extension is loaded and, if so, utilize the yaml_parse_file() function to parse YAML data from a file.

Method 5: Tapping into the yaml_parse() Function

PHP provides a built-in function, yaml_parse(), for parsing YAML data. However, please note that this function is available only if the PECL YAML extension is installed.

<?php
// Method 5: Using the yaml_parse() Function

// Check if the PECL YAML extension is loaded
if (function_exists('yaml_parse')) {
    // Load YAML data from a file
    $data = yaml_parse(file_get_contents('data.yml'));

    // Print the resulting array
    print_r($data);
} else {
    echo "The yaml_parse() function is not available.";
}
?>

Sample YAML Data (data.yml):

animals:
  - cat
  - dog
  - fish

Output:

Array
(
    [animals] => Array
        (
            [0] => cat
            [1] => dog
            [2] => fish
        )

)

In this method, we use the yaml_parse() function to parse YAML data read from a file. Ensure that you confirm its availability before using it.

Conclusion:

In this blog, we have explored five methods for converting YAML data into PHP arrays like Symfony YAML Component, the Spyc library, the Symfony Yaml Parser, the PECL YAML extension, or the yaml_parse() function.