multidimensional associative array to string and back

[surreal5335]

I have a multidimensional associative array like so:

PHP Code:

$cartArray 
    (
        0 => array
        (
            'product' => 'dvd',
            'contract' => '2133782'
        ), 
        1 => array
        (
            'product' => 'music',
            'contract' => '2131572'
        ),
    ); 


I am currently using http_build_query() to convert to string like so:
$_SESSION['items'] = http_build_query($cartArray);


That seems to be all fine and dandy, but I have no idea how to properly convert it back to an array upon page refresh or moving anto another array.

What can I do to convert my session variable back to such an array?

Thanks for the help

[firepages]

you would probaby use parse_str() to pull the data back out but this is easier, err ok not easier but probably a more common approach ....

PHP Code:

<?
$_SESSION['items'] = serialize($cartArray);
?>
//when you need it next...
<?
$cartArray=unserialize($_SESSION['items']);
?>