Re: [RFC - discussion] __toArray()

> I am open to the idea of having __toArray. I just have a few questions about the RFC details. > > 1. print_r($object) would somehow call __toArray you say. Why would it cause a cast when > nothing else is cast? I would prefer print_r((array) $person); Originally I intended the proposal to be specific to user casting like you suggested but when writing the RFC I decided to pursue making the magic method and casting more in line with the behavior of __toString(). For example, when an object implements the __toString() method and you simply “echo $obj” PHP automatically casts the object for you. > 2. In the parameter and return type examples you should add declare(strict_types=0); so > it's clear this only works in weak mode. I think this is a good idea. I hadn’t looked into strict_types and how it handles strings and their casting. Thanks! > 3. The weak point of this proposal is the by reference handling for sort et al. Counterpoint: > if you pass a variable to preg_match, then matches gets converted from anything to array, so i > believe by reference casting should change the original value (https://3v4l.org/XUJ5m > <https://3v4l.org/XUJ5m>). This is weird, but consistent. The proposal states that “array functions that operate on an array by reference such as sort or shuffle will not work on an object implementing __toArray() under this proposal”, and IMO that is consistent with other magical casting behaviors and I wouldn’t expect a class implementing __toArray() to be able to be written or referenced like a traditional array.