Convert javascript string to an array

Question

I'm retrieving an array of objects from a hidden html input field. The string I'm getting is:

"{"id":"1234","name":"john smith","email":"jsmith@blah.com"},{"id":"4431","name":"marry doe","email":"mdoe@blah.com"}"

Now I need to pass this as an array of objects again. How do I convert this string into array of objects?

Answer 1

Assuming that str holds valid JSON syntax, you can simply call eval(str).

For security reasons, it's better to use a JSON parser, like this:

JSON.parse(str);

Note that str must be wrapped in [] to be a valid JSON array.

Answer 2

var array_of_objects = eval("[" + my_string + "]");

This executes the string as code, which is why we need to add the [] to make it an object. This is also one of the few legitimate uses for eval as its the fastest and easiest way. :D