$Id: readme.txt,v 1.1.1.1 2005/11/26 21:12:50 shurring Exp $
$Date: 2005/11/26 21:12:50 $

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README for "serialize.pm" v0.9 -- Last Update: [13-Apr-04]

Perl workalike of PHP's serialize() and unserialize() functions.
Will turn a hash or array (even nested hashes/arrays) into a 
serialized string that is fully compatible with PHP's serialize() 
and unserialize() functions.  Unlike other perl modules that make
use of binary formats, the output from serialize() is a string, 
meaning you can easily manipulate it as you would any other string,
include sticking it into a URL, a database, a file, or any other
location that a string can go.

It's particularly useful when PHP and perl scripts both have to
share un-structured data.  For example: Data can be serialize()d 
in perl with this module, stored in a database (or file), and then
unserialized() with PHP -- or vice-versa -- or you can use this
module exclusively with Perl.  You do NOT need PHP to use this module.

	version: v0.9
	authour: Scott Hurring [scott (at) hurring.com]
	address: http://hurring.com/code/perl/serialize/

What's supported: (data only)
	Strings, Integers, Arrays, Doubles,
	Hashes, Arrays (can be nested, but references
	will probably get mutilated)

What's not: (non-data things)
	Objects, Code Blocks, References, etc...
	(Basically, anything that is not pure data
	will not properly transfer between lang's)

I have verified this code against the following
PHP versions: v4.0.6, 4.5.0, 4.1.2
To my knowledge, this code is in complete agreement
with PHP's current serialize() implementation 
(all data that i've tested with has seamlessly
 worked when using PHP or this perl module)

This is a perl workalike of PHP's serialize() and
unserialize() commands.  As far as i can tell, it
serialize()s and deserialize()s strings, numerics,
arrays, hashes identically to the PHP functions
of the same name.  Thus, you should be able to transfer
data between Perl and PHP with extreme ease, using
serialize() and deserialize() as an intermediary.

I use this module mostly when i'm working with mixed
PHP and Perl code that has to access the *same* data
in a database.  By using serialize() on hashes/arrays
before writing to the database, it's a cinch to pull
that info. out of the database and then deserialize()
it with whatever language you happen to be using.


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This is free code: you can use it however you want; on
two conditions:

1) You must include this text with the re-distributed module
   that contains my email address and the names/addresses of
   those who have contributed to this module.

	Written by:
		Scott Hurring [scott (at) hurring.com]
		http://hurring.com/
		
	With contributions/suggestions/bugfixes from:
		(see changelog.txt for info. about
		what was contributed by whom)
		Erlend Str?msvik [ehs (at) vorfor.no]
		Konrad Stepien [konrad (at) interdata.net.pl]
		Ron Grabowski [ronnie (at) catlover.com]
		Joel A. Chornik [joel (at) elserver.com]
		Julian Jares [jjares (at) uolsinectis.com.ar]

2) You do not charge any money for this product without
   prior written consent from me.  Non-commercial and
   educational use is completely free.
   

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Disclaimer:
	I make no guarantee as to the functionality (or correctness)
	of the values produced with this code when used with 
	serialized deserialized values from other versions of PHP 
	than the ones i've specifically tested (although it seems
	quite absurd for PHP to go and radically change the output
	of serialize())

	The code is the product of one mind.  It works great for me,
	but different coders with different styles will definately
	see ways to optimize and/or improve my code.  If you see
	room for improvement, i would really love it if you sent
	me an email with suggestions and/or code fixes.

	I have been concentrating on copying PHP's functionality
	more than making the code fast, so please don't expect
	this module to come anywhere near the speed of PHP's
	native serialize() and unserialize()