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Getting Started

PHP Array Parameters in URLs

The Cineamo API uses PHP's bracket notation for array parameters in URLs.

What Are PHP Array Parameters?

PHP uses square brackets [] in URL parameters to indicate arrays. When you see a parameter like embed[] or cinemaIds[], you can pass multiple values.

Code
# Single value - NO brackets needed
?contentId=123

# Multiple values - brackets required
?cinemaIds[]=1&cinemaIds[]=2&cinemaIds[]=3

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🎯 Why Brackets?

Brackets tell PHP to treat the parameter as an array on the server side:

Code
URL: ?ids[]=1&ids[]=2&ids[]=3
PHP receives: [1, 2, 3]

URL: ?ids=1  (no brackets)
PHP receives: "1"  (String, not array!)

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📝 Common Examples

Embed Multiple Resources

Code
curl "https://api.cineamo.com/cinemas/123/future-showings?embed[]=cinema&embed[]=content&embed[]=cinemaRoom" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer token"

Filter by Multiple IDs

Code
curl "https://api.cineamo.com/showings?cinemaIds[]=1&cinemaIds[]=2&cinemaIds[]=5" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer token"

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💻 Building URLs

Most HTTP clients handle this automatically:

Code
const params = new URLSearchParams();
params.append('embed[]', 'cinema');
params.append('embed[]', 'content');

const url = `https://api.cineamo.com/showings?${params.toString()}`;

Note: Brackets may be URL-encoded as %5B and %5D - both work with PHP.

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🚨 Common Mistakes

❌ Forgetting Brackets

Code
# Wrong - only last value used
?cinemaIds=1&cinemaIds=2

# Correct - array with all values
?cinemaIds[]=1&cinemaIds[]=2

❌ Adding Indices

Code
# Wrong - unnecessary
?embed[0]=cinema&embed[1]=content

# Correct - let PHP auto-index
?embed[]=cinema&embed[]=content

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📋 Quick Reference

Parameter	Single Value	Multiple Values
contentId	?contentId=123	N/A (single only)
embed	?embed[]=cinema	?embed[]=cinema&embed[]=content
cinemaIds	?cinemaIds[]=1	?cinemaIds[]=1&cinemaIds[]=2
showingTagIds	?showingTagIds[]=5	?showingTagIds[]=5&showingTagIds[]=8

When to Use Brackets

• ✅ Use brackets for embed[], cinemaIds[], showingTagIds[], etc.
• ❌ Don't use brackets for contentId, cinemaId, page, per_page

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📚 See Also

• HAL Responses - Understanding response format
• Fetching Showtimes - Practical examples
• API Reference - Complete parameter list