Serialize to array

[tarjei]

Hi, one thing I often miss is the option to serialize something to an array.

Usecases are:

• Appending the serialized values to a bigger array so I can use different serializationcontexts to different parts of the object graph.
• Testing

Is this a feature you would consider?

[afurculita]

This feature has been already included in the library:

https://github.com/schmittjoh/serializer/blob/master/src/JMS/Serializer/Serializer.php#L116

[tarjei]

Yes, I saw that. I would like to suggest that ->serialize($obj, 'array') to that method, but apart from that I'll close this issue :)

T

[Aliance]

->serialize($obj, 'array') looks good. Needs just to extend GenericSerializationVisitor.
@schmittjoh @goetas is there any necessity in it? I can make a pr with my solution. Or using Serializer::toArray is enough?

[goetas]

@Aliance $serializer->serialize($obj, 'array') and $serializer->toArray($obj) have different semantics.

• $serializer->serialize($obj, 'array') use the array visitor.. (that does not exists...)
• $serializer->toArray($obj) is a "specific" feature of the serializer to return the array representation using the json visitor.

Will prefer to not introduce more "special" cases

[Aliance]

use the array visitor.. (that does not exists...)

I understand & my proposal was to create it. By your comment, I was not able to clearly understand for you or not?

[goetas]

no, prefer to keep it as it is now. thanks :)