How can I use object as an array?

Question

I want to use next syntax:

$o = new MyClass();
$o['param'] = 'value'; // set property "param" in "value" for example

Now I have an error:

Fatal error: Cannot use object of type MyClass as array

Can I use object like this? Maybe there are any magic methods?

Question isn't in it. I want to know can I do it like in my example — Victor Bocharsky
– Victor Bocharsky, Commented Mar 21, 2014 at 13:44
@MarcB Read the answers and you'll know how to do your "apple taste like an orange" :) — Victor Bocharsky
– Victor Bocharsky, Commented Mar 21, 2014 at 14:04

Matthieu Napoli · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-21 13:44:56Z

5

What you could do, is create a new class called MyClass and make it implement the ArrayAccess interface.

You can then use:

$myArray = new MyClass();
$myArray['foo'] = 'bar';

Although it's easier to just use:

$myArray->foo = 'bar';

edited Mar 21, 2014 at 13:44

Matthieu Napoli

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answered Mar 21, 2014 at 13:43

Pim Verlangen

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3 Comments

Victor Bocharsky Over a year ago

Is ArrayAccess is a standart PHP interface?

Aziz Saleh Over a year ago

@Victor Have you read the doc that both answered posted? It says it right there on the top of the page.

Victor Bocharsky Over a year ago

@AzizSaleh It was a simple question :)

Pavel Štěrba · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-21 13:43:57Z

4

You object has to implement ArrayAccess interface.

class MyClass extends ArrayAccess
{
   private $container = array();

   public function offsetSet($offset, $value) 
   {
        if (is_null($offset)) {
            $this->container[] = $value;
        } else {
            $this->container[$offset] = $value;
        }
    }

    public function offsetExists($offset) 
    {
        return isset($this->container[$offset]);
    }

    public function offsetUnset($offset) 
    {
        unset($this->container[$offset]);
    }

    public function offsetGet($offset) 
    {
        return isset($this->container[$offset]) ? $this->container[$offset] : null;
    }
}

answered Mar 21, 2014 at 13:43

Pavel Štěrba

2,9222 gold badges31 silver badges51 bronze badges

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