- json_decode: documentation ( source)
<?php
// the name and value must be enclosed in double quotes
// single quotes are not valid
$bad_json = "{ 'bar': 'baz' }";
echo "BAD:" . json_decode($bad_json); // null
$good_json = '{ "baz": "bar" }';
echo "GOOD" . json_decode($good_json);