How to return an array as object in PHP?

Question

function myfunc ()
{
    $a['foo'] = 'bar';
    $a['baz'] = 'qux';

    return $a;
}

How do you do it so that when you call $a = myfunc(); you can use echo $a->foo; and it will output bar?

Additional question: Having that simple function above, is it better to return an array or object?

@deceze I guess my question is what is more efficient in terms of use of system resources in the same comparison that single quotes is faster than double quotes. — IMB
– IMB, Commented Nov 14, 2012 at 17:33
@Rocket That site is interesting, but mostly missing the point. isset vs. empty vs. is_array is entirely pointless, for instance, since they all do very different things and are used in different situations. Don't choose which to use based on minuscule performance differences. — deceze
– deceze ♦, Commented Nov 14, 2012 at 17:43
@deceze: I was mostly trying to show that single vs double quotes is silly and you shouldn't worry. — gen_Eric
– gen_Eric, Commented Nov 14, 2012 at 17:57

gen_Eric · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-14 17:30:00Z

7

Just cast it as an object.

function myfunc ()
{
    $a['foo'] = 'bar';
    $a['baz'] = 'qux';

    return (object)$a;
}

As for which one you want, it's up to you. It depends on what you are doing with the returned object or array.

answered Nov 14, 2012 at 17:30

gen_Eric

228k42 gold badges304 silver badges343 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

tawfekov · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-14 17:42:07Z

1

1-I would do it like this :

function myfunc ()
{
    $a['foo'] = 'bar';
    $a['baz'] = 'qux';
    $array = new ArrayObject($a);
    return $array;
}

ArrayObject is supported form php version 5

2- doesn't really matter if you return array or object , its your decision

answered Nov 14, 2012 at 17:42

tawfekov

5,1124 gold badges30 silver badges51 bronze badges

Comments

arkascha · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-14 17:32:44Z

0

If you return an array you will have to access the member as $a['foo']. The -> is indeed an oop operator. To use this you would need to create an object instead of an array, but that means you have to define a class first. This again means that the two members foo and baz must be present for all instanciations of such an object. So that is a completely different thing.

answered Nov 14, 2012 at 17:32

arkascha

43.2k8 gold badges61 silver badges97 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to return an array as object in PHP?

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related