Decontruct serialized data array from wp_options

Question

I'm trying to decontruct (and recreate) a serialized option value in wp_options called 'my_options'

How would I build the array to recreate this option_value that currently exists for 'my_options'?

update_option('my_options', ?)

After the update, the wp-options table would hold this value for 'my_options':

a:3:{s:12:"my_widget-1";a:2:{ etc...

Answer 1

You can't use it as-is because it will get double-serialized. So as per comment you unserialize it first and it will get serialized back when saved into option.

$array = unserialize( $stuff );
update_option('my_options', $array);