php reading certain $_GET differently

[freelance84]

While testing...

 

php seems to be changing the & symbol into a square bracket when retrieving from $_GET. I assume this is so it can still use the & to seperate variables placed into the URL.

 

When i print_r the $_GET i get this:

[name] => [lt;table]

 

My question is... is there a function which decodes this?

 

For example, the name, "<table>" is actually stored in my table due to html entities as you see therefore if the name is ever passed via the URL, the & messes it all up.

 

 

Furthermore, are there any other characters like this i should be looking out for?

 

[Adam]

You need to encode the ampersand and semi-colon, as within URLs they are used to separate parameters. The PHP function urlencode will come in useful for you here.

[freelance84]

ahh, brilliant.

 

Thanks.

 

I'm guessing the urldecode  needs to be used on the other end when retrieving it again?

[Adam]

Depends on the situation. Normally, the browser will transform it to the right value for you though.

[Adam]

Sorry that's a bit misleading.. PHP automatically applies urldecode() to $_GET and $_REQUEST - the browser has nothing to do with it.

[freelance84]

Cool, thanks a lot