Convert an array string into an array

Question

How do I convert '["1","2-1","3-1-1"]' into ["1","2-1","3-1-1"]?

So, a string into an array.

I've tried casting '["1","2-1","3-1-1"]' to an array, but that does not work.

Answer 1

Use json_decode:

$arr = json_decode($str);

$str = '["1","2-1","3-1-1"]';
$arr = json_decode($str);

var_dump($arr);

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  string(1) "1"
  [1]=>
  string(3) "2-1"
  [2]=>
  string(5) "3-1-1"
}