Handle classes that implement collections (e.g. ArrayObject) and properties

[tobyS]

I have a use case where a class realizes a collection and holds properties with meta data in addition. Without any additional config, JMS Serializer only takes care for the properties. I could get it working to serialize the collection part, too, by defining getArrayCopy() as an accessor for a virtual property. However, since virtual properties do not support deserialization, the collection would be lost.

Find a Gist to illustrate what I desire to do here: https://gist.github.com/tobyS/6397023

[goetas]

I have the same issue

[koemeet]

Same issue here, I will try to search for a solution. My best bet would be to use a custom handler for this. Will provide some code when I got a working solution.

[koemeet]

Here is a working example. If you use symfony2 add this as a service with the tag 'jms_serializer.subscribing_handler'.

More info about JMS handlers: http://jmsyst.com/libs/serializer/master/handlers

class ArrayObjectHandler implements SubscribingHandlerInterface
{
    /**
     * @return array
     */
    public static function getSubscribingMethods()
    {
        $methods = array();
        $formats = array('json', 'xml', 'yml');
        $types = array(
            'ArrayObject'
        );

        foreach ($types as $type) {
            foreach ($formats as $format) {
                $methods[] = array(
                    'direction' => GraphNavigator::DIRECTION_SERIALIZATION,
                    'type' => $type,
                    'format' => $format,
                    'method' => 'serializeArrayObject',
                );
            }
        }

        return $methods;
    }

    /**
     * @param VisitorInterface $visitor
     * @param \ArrayObject $data
     * @param array $type
     * @param Context $context
     * @return mixed
     */
    public function serializeArrayObject(VisitorInterface $visitor, \ArrayObject $data, array $type, Context $context)
    {
        $type['name'] = 'array';
        return $visitor->visitArray($data->getArrayCopy(), $type, $context);
    }
}

[goetas]

@steffenbrem Your implementation will not serialize the $packageName property (see https://gist.github.com/tobyS/6397023#file-gistfile1-php-L8 )

[goetas]

This has to be solved with a custom handler (since the usecase explained here is a custom extension of the array object class)