title: Exploding an array that may only have one value
body: <p>I am not sure if this is doable or if its a bigger problem with in my code but I have a webpage where a user selects some values from a infinite amount. So for example there select a1 and b2 from my form.</p>
  
  <p>The form then combines them so they become like this:
  a1<strong>b1 or a1</strong>b1<strong>d1</strong>e1 as another example. I will then split these values up using an explode function. here is an fulll example</p>
  
  <pre><code>$v1 = a1**b1
  $v2 = explode("**", $v1);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Now if the user only select one value, the explode doesnt seem to work as I dont get a value for $v2. EG</p>
  
  <pre><code>$v1 = a1
  $v2 = explode("**", $v1);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is there a way that I can get this to work? Im not sure why I don't even get a value coming out in the second example, just want to knwo if its a limitation with explode or wheter it may be something else.</p>
  
  <p>Thank in advance for an help or guidance.</p>
  
  <p>Ian</p>