Cannot return value from function - php

Question

I have a PHP function:
function unserialize_recursive($data, $i = 0) {
$unserialized = unserialize($data);
if ($unserialized) {
$i++;
}
if (!is_string($unserialized) || unserialize($unserialized) === FALSE) {
/* placeholder - see explanation below */
return array($i, $unserialized);
} elseif (unserialize($unserialized) !== FALSE) {
unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);
}
return FALSE;
}
I call this function with:
$data = unserialize_recursive($serialized_string);
var_dump($data);
But the output of var_dump($data) is bool(false).
However, if I add var_dump($unserialized) in the position of the text /* placeholder - see explanation below */, I get the expected output.
So why can I not return that variable ($unserialized)? If I use gettype() on it at that point in the function, it returns array.
I'm using Netbeans and all the syntax highlighting indicates the code is properly formed with no typos. I'm baffled. Have I missed something really obvious?

Answer 1

My guess is that you forgot a return:
function unserialize_recursive($data, $i = 0) {
$unserialized = unserialize($data);
if ($unserialized) {
$i++;
}
if (!is_string($unserialized) || unserialize($unserialized) === FALSE) {
/* placeholder - see explanation below */
return array($i, $unserialized);
} elseif (unserialize($unserialized) !== FALSE) {
return unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);
}
return FALSE;
}

Answer 2

You use recursion in your function.
So your var_dump($unserialized) is called from a recursed invocation, but main invocation returns false.
You probably need to change "unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);" to
return unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);

Answer 3

You are missing return in front of
unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);
So it should be like this
return unserialize_recursive($unserialized, $i);
Without return function would run itself but then leave if condition and execute return FALSE. By placing return in front you end the current function and start another one.