Create a PHP Array from YAML

A YAML configuration is often convenient to maintain as data, but a PHP application may need the same values embedded directly in source code. This tool converts the supported YAML data model into a readable PHP array and wraps it in a return statement. Mappings become associative arrays, sequences become numerically indexed arrays, strings are quoted safely, and booleans, numbers, and null values use their native PHP representations. The result is intended to be pasted into a configuration file, included by PHP, or used as a starting point for a hand-written array.

The serializer formats nested arrays with indentation so the generated code remains reviewable. String handling is especially important: apostrophes and backslashes are escaped for single-quoted PHP strings, preventing an ordinary value such as team's from accidentally terminating the literal. Empty mappings and lists are emitted as []. This keeps the output compact and modern rather than generating old-style array() syntax. The tool is therefore suitable for contemporary PHP projects that prefer short array notation.

The workflow is straightforward. Keep the YAML mapping that represents your configuration in the left editor, validate it by running the conversion, and inspect the generated PHP before copying it into your project. The sample includes strings, a port number, a boolean flag, a list, and a nested owner mapping so you can see how each common YAML type maps into PHP. If the source is malformed or empty, the conversion stops and reports an error rather than outputting code that only looks plausible.

There are important format boundaries. This implementation works with the supported YAML data model and does not attempt to preserve comments, anchors, tags, aliases, or every YAML-specific scalar construct. It also does not generate PHP classes, constants, environment lookups, or validation logic. The result is simply a PHP array expression suitable for further application-specific editing. Treat the generated code as source code: review it before committing, especially when the YAML originated from an untrusted party.

Because the conversion is local, configuration values remain in the browser while the PHP text is generated. That makes the tool useful for private development fixtures and migration work where sending the source YAML to an online API would be inconvenient. For large configuration files, normal browser memory limits still apply. For ordinary application configs, the recursive serializer is fast, deterministic, and easy to audit.

The generated PHP is deliberately ordinary source code rather than framework-specific configuration. That makes it useful as an intermediate representation: you can paste the array into a config file, return it from a PHP include, or adapt it into constants or a typed object later. The tool does not attempt to infer your application’s preferred class structure.

Review string escaping whenever a configuration contains file paths, regular expressions, apostrophes, or Windows-style backslashes. Single-quoted PHP strings require different escaping rules from JSON and JavaScript, so a naive converter can easily produce invalid code. This implementation handles the basic delimiter cases and keeps the output visually readable for manual inspection.

Lists deserve attention because YAML and PHP both support ordered collections but do not share every serialization detail. A YAML sequence becomes a normal numeric PHP array. A nested mapping inside that list becomes another associative array. That makes the result natural for common application configuration, but it is not a promise about framework-specific collection classes or immutable configuration objects.

Use the sample to understand how basic scalar typing maps across the formats. Booleans become true or false, numbers remain numeric, null becomes PHP null, and strings are quoted. When YAML contains a value that depends on application context, review it manually because this tool is a serializer, not a schema compiler.

Security still matters even though the conversion is local. The generated code should be reviewed before execution or deployment, especially when the source YAML came from a third party. The serializer does not execute values, call PHP, or evaluate expressions. It only creates source text. Keeping that boundary clear helps prevent a harmless conversion step from being mistaken for a code execution engine.

For team workflows, the generated file can be treated like any other source artifact: review it, run your normal PHP syntax checks, and commit it only when the structure matches the intended configuration. The browser-only design avoids uploading private settings, while the deterministic serializer makes repeated conversions easy to compare.

• Ready-to-paste syntax: The output is a PHP return statement containing a native array.
• Nested mappings: YAML objects become associative PHP arrays.
• Sequences: YAML lists become numerically indexed PHP arrays.
• Typed scalars: Numbers and booleans stay typed rather than quoted as text.
• Null support: YAML null values become PHP null.
• Escaped strings: Backslashes and apostrophes are escaped for single-quoted PHP strings.
• Readable indentation: Nested output is formatted for hand review.
• Local conversion: The PHP code is generated in the browser.

1. Paste a YAML mapping into the editor.
2. Use Load Sample to see common PHP scalar and nested array types.
3. Click Create PHP Array to parse and serialize the data.
4. Review quoted strings, booleans, numbers, nulls, and nested arrays.
5. Use the statistics to confirm the parsed key and array counts.
6. Copy the PHP code or download it as a .php file.

Example 1 — Boolean. A YAML flag becomes a PHP boolean.

return [
    'enabled' => true,
];

Example 2 — List. A YAML sequence becomes indexed PHP values.

return [
    'features' => [
        'login',
        'export',
    ],
];

Example 3 — Nested mapping. Child keys become a nested associative array.

'database' => [
    'host' => 'localhost',
]

Example 4 — Null. A YAML null becomes PHP null.

'cache' => null

Example 5 — Escaped text. Apostrophes are escaped safely.

'owner' => 'team\'s config'

• Configuration bootstraps: Paste generated arrays directly into application config files.
• Prototype speed: Convert a sample YAML structure without writing serializer code.
• Code review: The output is ordinary PHP syntax that can be inspected in a diff.
• Type fidelity: Basic scalar types remain distinguishable.
• Safer escaping: String delimiters are escaped instead of breaking the PHP literal.
• No package setup: No PHP or YAML package needs to be installed in the browser.