PHP: Counting values in an array of objects

Question

I have a databse class which returns an array of objects. I am trying to get multiple bits of data from this single query, in order to prevent having to run three queries.

I have stumbled upon array_count_values() [ https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-count-values.php ] which will be perfect for catching various bits of data about the result set which I can use. Although I can't figure out how to cast all the second dimensions into arrays without having to just foreach through the whole return which would be a little bad I think.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can convert my array of objects, as a whole into an array, to allow this game changing function to do it's magic?

Array
(
 [0] => stdClass Object
 (
 [message_id] => 23185
 [from_profile] => 3165
 [to_profile] => 962
 [parent_message_id] => 17111
 [date_sent] => 2011年02月23日 05:48:25
 [subject] => RE: hi
 )
// etc

There is also the issue that I've just thought of whilst typing this question, sods law eh? That will the function be able to parse multiple dimensions?

• Bailey Parker: What property from the objects are your counting? Or are you not counting values from the objects?
• Zirak: I'm not sure, but do you mean something like array_walk_recusrive?
• mickmackusa: Your expected result is not Clear.

Answer 1

Since you only want to alter the first dimension, you can use array_walk

$dbResultsArray = // db results here
array_walk($dbResultsArray, function(&$elem) { $elem = (array)$elem; });

$dbResultsArray is passed by reference so once array_walk has run your $dbResultsArray is already updated.

I'm using closures which require php 5.3+ but you can use create_function in older versions.

• David Yell: Yep, this seems to be okay, as it will allow me to convert all the elements. Although not perfect as it's still looping.

Answer 2

I am not much clear what you are talking about but there is a function which can count array elements as well as object properties.

count()

Hence you do not need to convert object into array for this purpose.

• David Yell: I don't want to count the array, but what's in the array.

Answer 3

You could probably try something like

$result = array_count_values(array_map(function ($message) { return $message->id; }, $messageArray));

Answer 4

This might be able to point you in the right direction;

http://www.richardcastera.com/blog/php-convert-array-to-object-with-stdclass

As far as muliple dimensions go, I'm not sure on that one. Hopefully the above is helpful though.

Answer 5

do a for loop on your array of objects, and typecast them as (array) and assign them back, you won't need to go inside further nesting,it will only typecase topmost level.

eg;

$newArr = array();
foreach($myObjArr as $t){
 $arr = (array)$t;
 $newArr[] = $arr;
}

• David Yell: A good suggestion, but I'd rather not foreach a loop which could be about 300 odd results.