===== Syntax =====

<code php>
array explode(string $delim, string $str [, int $limit])
</code>

//(PHP 4, PHP 5)//

^ $delim | Delimiter used to separte the source string. |
^ $str | The source string which will be split appart into an array. |
^ $limit | The maximum number of parts (or elements) in the array. |
^ RETURNS | The array generated by splitting the source string. |

===== What it Does =====

Explode takes the source string (**$str**) and breaks it into smaller parts using the delimiter (**$delim**) string as a splitting point.  Usually, this is used to break a comma-separated list into its individual parts.

A reverse process can be done using the [[implode]] function.

===== Example =====

<code php>
// split the month abbreviations
$mon = explode(',', 'Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec');

// split the day-of-the-week
$wday = explode(',' 'M,T,W,Th,F,S,Sn');
</code>