jquery converting json string to array

Question

I am getting Json string from my server as below

var str = {"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"} 

I want to convert it in an array like

var str = [["12:30 PM","1:00 PM"], ["11:30 AM","12:00 PM"]];

How would I do that?

I tried to convert using jQuery.parseJSON(str), but it's giving error.

I also researched a lot in stackoverflow and there seems to be many solutionfor this problem but none of the solution is working for this issue.

• Nouphal.M: Try var str = '{"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"}';
• Myth: Try this stackoverflow.com/questions/7611845/…
• Phil: Never say "but it's giving error" without actually posting the error message.

Answer 1

The str is already an object.

You could use jQuery.map method.

var str = {"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"};
var result = $.map(str, function(value, key) {
 return [[key, value]];
});

• Phil: Didn't even notice the jquery tag :). Nice answer and doesn't require pollyfills for IE8 support (unless it's jQuery 2.x)

Answer 2

Try this map example

var str = {"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"};
var convert = Object.keys(str).map(function(k) {
 return [k, str[k]];
});

If you need support for IE <= 8, see Object.keys pollyfill and Array.prototype.map pollyfill

• Pinal Dave: thanks for the response. I get error: "Uncaught TypeError: Object.keys called on non-object"
• Phil: @user2584596 That shouldn't happen given the value of str in your question
• Pinal Dave: I am using Chrome Version 31.0.1650.63 m, pretty latest.
• Pinal Dave: I am using a jQuery plugin called Jquery.timepicker. here is the URL jonthornton.github.io/jquery-timepicker . This plugin require data in the format as I mentioned in my question. Your method works when I hardcode str = {"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"}; and then convert. However I am getting same data via Ajax call, so it's data coming from the Ajax which is not working. I copied data in str from console.log(data from ajax) so I am pretty sure it's same data
• Phil: @user2584596 Then you need to show more code in your question as well as any error messages you see

Answer 3

Can you try this.

var p = {"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"} 
var o = [];
for (k in p) {
 if (p.hasOwnProperty(k)) {
 o.push([k, p[k]]);
 }
}

• Phil: Gotta be careful with for..in loops. In some circumstances they can pick up more properties than you might expect
• N K: @Phil Can you please mention any instance?
• Phil: Here's some more reading - jslinterrors.com/…
• N K: @Phil Does hasOwnProperty chekcing make any effect?
• Phil: Yes, that's the recommended method of checking

Answer 4

var str = '{"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"}';
object = JSON.parse(str);
var my_array = new Array();
for(var key in object ){
 my_array[key] = object[key];
}

• Pinal Dave: It's not working.. I am not sure if I am doing something wrong.

Answer 5

Assuming you're talking about actual string that you're getting from the server, you can do a plain string replacement:

var str = '{"12:30 PM":"1:00 PM","11:30 AM":"12:00 PM"}';
str = str
.replace('{"','[["')
.replace('"}','"]]')
.replace('","','"],["')
.replace(/":"/g,'","')

This will make str into string representing an array. To make a real array out of it you can do something like this:

var arr;
eval('arr = ' + str);

This is the only legitimate use of eval I can advocate.

Demo: http://jsfiddle.net/h8c6w/

• Phil: Instead of eval, you could use JSON.parse(str) and then map the object to a new array (see other answers)
• Pinal Dave: thanks for your answer, unfortunately it gives error : Uncaught TypeError: Object [["12:30 PM","1:00 PM"],["11:30 AM","12:00 PM"]] has no method 'sort'
• Comfortably Numb: Would the downvoter please explain horrible vices of this answer? Perhaps by modifying working jsfiddle demo?
• Comfortably Numb: @user2584596 do not call str.sort(); in the example above - str is still a string. Instead call arr.sort(); - arr being a real array