array_unique for objects?

Question

Hi! Is there any method like the array_unique for objects? I have a bunch of arrays with 'Role' objects that I merge, and then I want to take out the duplicates :)

Thanks

Answer 1

Well array_unique() compares the string value of the elements:

Note: Two elements are considered equal if and only if (string) $elem1 === (string) $elem2. In words: when the string representation is the same. The first element will be used.

So make sure to implement the __toString() method in your class and that it outputs the same value for equal roles, e.g.

class Role {
    private $name;

    //.....

    public function __toString() {
        return $this->name
    }

}

This would consider two roles as equal if they have the same name.