How to work with serialize array database Wordpress to make CRUD operation?

Question

I have data in the metauser table as shown below. As you can see, the data is in the form of a serialized array. How do I push array data? I want to save the post id in the meta bookmark. But if I use add_user_meta() instead it creates data in a new row instead of adding data in value (so there will be 2 meta bookmarks in 1 user with different values). If I use update_user_meta() it just replaces the old new value, not adding (push) the array data. How do I add new data (array) to the meta value?

Like the example image below, this is the meta of post_status and comment_status from plugin ulike WordPress. I think when there are new posts or new comments, the value will also increase according to the associated id.

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please, free to edit this question if there is an incorrect or unsuitable word.

Thank You!

Answer 1

You can use get_user_meta function to get value.

$post_status = get_user_meta( $user_id, 'post_status', true );

Now modify $post_status array as per your requirement. and update after it.

update_user_meta( $user_id, 'post_status', $post_status );

Remember WordPress uses maybe_serialize and maybe_unserialize to save and get value from meta tables.

Answer 2

To store an array as a user meta in the Wordpress database you can use the PHP serialize() function. In this example an array will be stored for the current user (as in your screenshot).

$bookmark = array(
    0 => 3058,
);
update_user_meta( get_current_user_id(), '_bookmark_article', serialize($bookmark) );

To modify a serialized array you can use the PHP unserialize() function. In this example, the user meta _bookmark_article will be retrieved, modified and updated:

// retrieves the value of the user meta "_bookmark_article"
$bookmark_article = get_user_meta( get_current_user_id(), '_bookmark_article', true );
// convert value to array
$bookmark_article = unserialize( $bookmark_article );

// adds a value to the array
$bookmark_article_updated = $bookmark_article_array[] = 3445;
// updates an array value based on the key
$bookmark_article_updated = $bookmark_article_array[0] += 50;

// updates the value of the user meta "_bookmark_article"
update_user_meta( get_current_user_id(), '_bookmark_article', serialize($bookmark_article_updated) );