PHP Object Examples

An object is a data type that not only allows storing data but also methods on how to handle that data. An object is a specific instance of a class that serves as template for objects.

Define a blank object

stdClass is a default object in PHP that has no properties, methods, or parent.

$obj = new stdClass();
$obj->id = 1;
$obj->name = "Product A";
print_r($obj); //Output: stdClass Object ( [id] => 1 [name] => Product A )

Convert an array to object

We have several methods to do so.

$array = array('id' => 1, 'name' => 'PHP Example');

$product1 = (object) $array;

$product2 = new stdClass();
foreach ($array as $key => $value)
{
    $product2->$key = $value;
}

$product3 = json_decode(json_encode($array), FALSE);

Convert an object to an array

$array = (array) $object;
$array = json_decode(json_encode($object), TRUE);

Merge 2 objects

Use this method if objects have no method.

$product1 = new stdClass();
$product1->id = 1;
$product1->name = 'PHP Example';
$product1->author = 'David';
$product2 = new stdClass();
$product2->id = 1;
$product2->name = 'jQuery Example';
$products = (object) array_merge((array) $product1, (array) $product2);
//output: stdClass Object ( [id] => 1 [name] => jQuery Example [author] => David )

Data from $product2 overrides the one in the same property of $product1.