PHP json_encode - JSON_FORCE_OBJECT mixed object and array output

Question

I have a PHP data structure I want to JSON encode. It can contain a number of empty arrays, some of which need to be encoded as arrays and some of which need to be encoded as objects.

For instance, lets say I have this data structure:

$foo = array(
 "bar1" => array(), // Should be encoded as an object
 "bar2" => array() // Should be encoded as an array
);

I would like to encode this into:

{
 "bar1": {},
 "bar2": []
} 

But if I use json_encode($foo, JSON_FORCE_OBJECT) I will get objects as:

{
 "bar1": {},
 "bar2": {}
}

And if I use json_encode($foo) I will get arrays as:

{
 "bar1": [],
 "bar2": []
}

Is there any way to encode the data (or define the arrays) so I get mixed arrays and objects?

• Brandon - Free Palestine: This is not possible using the built-in json_encode function

Answer 1

Create bar1 as a new stdClass() object. That will be the only way for json_encode() to distinguish it. It can be done by calling new stdClass(), or casting it with (object)array()

$foo = array(
 "bar1" => new stdClass(), // Should be encoded as an object
 "bar2" => array() // Should be encoded as an array
);
echo json_encode($foo);
// {"bar1":{}, "bar2":[]}

OR by typecasting:

$foo = array(
 "bar1" => (object)array(), // Should be encoded as an object
 "bar2" => array() // Should be encoded as an array
);
echo json_encode($foo);
// {"bar1":{}, "bar2":[]}

Answer 2

Same answer, for PHP5.4+.

$foo = [
 "bar1" => (object)["",""],
 "bar2" => ["",""]
];
echo json_encode($foo);
// {"bar1":{}, "bar2":[]}

---

Another simple examples, with something important to notice:

$icons = (object)["rain"=>["💧"], "sun"=>["🌞"], "lightrain"=>["🌦"]];
echo $icons->sun;
// 🌞
$icons = (object)["rain"=>"💧", "sun"=>"🌞", "lightrain"=>"🌦"];
echo $icons->sun;
// 🌞

Answer 3

There answer is no. There is no way for the function to guess your intent as to which array should be array and which should be objects. You should simply cast the arrays you want as object before json_encoding them

• Bastiaan ten Klooster: @DarkoRomanov By casting he means "bar1" => (object)array(). The (object) casts (transform as in a smith's furnace) the array into a standard object.