Is there a way to easily parse a query?

Date:	06/02/2011 01:59:18 PM	Msg ID:	004288
From:	Steven Gruner	Thread:	004288
Subject:	Is there a way to easily parse a query?

I'm using a url like http://www.mysite.com/map.htm?db=la2do%26uid=MMNOP

So far I'm just using substr() to parse each parameter which works fine. But

I'm wondering two things:

1) Is there an easier way than having to substr() each parameter?

2) Why does the ampersand not parse correctly if it's not url encoded?