I have some data represented as multi-dimensional arrays. I would like to embed these data into my OO application and provide extra functionality to these data but also a way to access it both with the traditional random access and using an iterator (so I could use foreach). In other words I would like to implement a wrapping class for a multi-dimensional array.
What I already tried:
I. ArrayAccess
The problem with this one is that the server uses PHP 5.2.17 and &offsetGet()
gives an error, thus I can't return by reference, which means I can't implement multidimensional element access:
$obj[$key1][$key2] = $value;
Note, that upgrading to a newer PHP version is currently not an option
II. Using magic methods This is a bit trickier, but my problems rose when I tried using a variable as key. E.g.
$obj->$key1[$key2] = $value;
The interpreter first evaluated $key1[$key2]
throwing a notice and returning the first char of $key1, and uses that as key on my array. I don't know how to solve this one either. I thought of using brackets to force operation priority, but that had the same problem as in my next attempt:
III. Using simple get and set functions Again, old PHP. It cries when I try to write:
$obj->get($key1)[$key2] = $value;
Because it doesn't know how to index an expression ending in round brackets.
There's still the lost resort option: make the array public and forget OO all together. But before I go there I want to be certain that there's just really no other way of doing this.