PHP MySQL array to Javascript

[typicalalex1]

Hi guys

Im trying to pass a PHP array to JavaScript but i am unable to figure out how.
The array is created from a MySQL query:

$sql="SELECT * FROM tblEmployees WHERE employeeID = '".$q."'";
$result = mysql_query($sql);
$row = mysql_fetch_array($result);

I have no problem passing variables and other arrays to Javascript, but passing $row doesnt work.

$str = $row['firstName'];
echo $str;

$str displays the value of $row['firstName'] correctly.
But it doesn't pass the value to JavaScript, it just shows up blank:

This code gets the value of $str and tries to display it in a text box called txtTitle.

<script type="text/javascript">
var val = <?php echo json_encode($str); ?>;
document.getElementById("txtTitle").value = val;
</script>

Im pulling my hair out with this. I have searching through forums and i havent found any help.
Thanks in advance

[devnull69]

Why would you want to json_encode() a simple string?

Just output it. In Javascript you need to make sure that it's surrounded by quotes, though.

var val = "<?php echo $str; ?>";

[typicalalex1]

Originally Posted by devnull69

Why would you want to json_encode() a simple string?

Just output it. In Javascript you need to make sure that it's surrounded by quotes, though.

var val = "<?php echo $str; ?>";

That was just the last thing i tried. Your suggestion should work and i have tried it before but no luck.
This is the code minus the SQL

	<?php
	$str = $row['firstName'];
	?>

	<script type="text/javascript">
	var val = "<?php echo $str; ?>";
	alert(val);
	document.getElementById("txtTitle").value = val;
	</script>

If i Echo $str in PHP, the value is displayed on screen.
I put alert(val); in there just to test it, but it shows a blank message.

[devnull69]

Please check the resulting HTML in the browser development tool of your choice (built-in to IE, Opera and Chrome ... use Firebug for Firebox) by pressing F12 and then on the HTML tab. You should see the output of $str at both places, so the problem must be somewhere else (maybe the error console on the tab "Console" of the development tools will show you).

[rnd me]

Originally Posted by devnull69

Why would you want to json_encode() a simple string?

because it turns it into a guaranteed valid ascii JS string, regardless of any nested quotes or apos chars.

It's a waste for numbers, but it can help prevent a few common escaping issues when shuffling strings around.