What are the advantages of using json_encode() and json_decode() when dealing with data manipulation in PHP?

When dealing with data manipulation in PHP, using json_encode() and json_decode() can be advantageous as they allow for easy conversion between PHP arrays/objects and JSON strings. This can be particularly useful when working with APIs or transferring data between different systems, as JSON is a common data interchange format. Additionally, using these functions can help ensure data integrity and consistency during the manipulation process.

// Example of using json_encode() and json_decode() for data manipulation

// Create a PHP array
$data = array(
    'name' => 'John Doe',
    'age' => 30,
    'city' => 'New York'
);

// Convert the PHP array to a JSON string
$jsonString = json_encode($data);

// Output the JSON string
echo $jsonString;

// Convert the JSON string back to a PHP array
$decodedData = json_decode($jsonString, true);

// Output the decoded PHP array
print_r($decodedData);