tags:

views:

143

answers:

5

how to convert object into string in php

Actually i am dealing with web service APIs.i want to use output of one API as a input for another API. when i am trying to do this i got error like this:Catchable fatal error: Object of class std could not be converted to string in C:\ ...

this is the output of first API::stdClass Object ( [document_number] => 10ba60 ) now i want only that number to use as input for 2nd AP

print_r and _string() both are not working in my case

+1  A: 

you have the print_r function DOC

remi bourgarel
+3  A: 

There is an object serialization module, with the serialize function you can serialize any object.

WoLpH
but if the object has complex datatypes or resources you should work with it using magic functions => http://php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.magic.php like __wakeup or __sleep to serialize deserialize resources or complex datatypes.
markcial
According to php.net, when using serialize(), an attempt is made to call __wakeup/__sleep at the appropriate times automatically, so all you have to worry about is actually implementing the functions themselves. My guess though, is that this is a bit beyond what the requirements of the OP would be!
Cam
A: 

Use the casting operator (string)$yourObject;

Webleeuw
Works only if object can be casted to string, e.g. implements __toString(). Which it does not in this case, apparently.
Tomasz Struczyński
+2  A: 

You can tailor how your object is represented as a string by implementing a __toString() method in your class, so that when your object is type cast as a string (explicit type cast $str = (string) $myObject;, or automatic echo $myObject) you can control what is included and the string format.

If you only want to display your object's data, the method above would work. If you want to store your object in a session or database, you need to serialize it, so PHP knows how to reconstruct your instance.

Some code to demonstrate the difference:

class MyObject {

    protected $name = 'JJ';

    public function __toString() {
            return "My name is: {$this->name}\n";
    }

}

$obj = new MyObject;

echo $obj;
echo serialize($obj);

Output:

My name is: JJ
O:8:"MyObject":1:{s:7:"*name";s:2:"JJ";}
Greg K
That isn't serializing. Other than the serialize part though this is a very good explanation (especially the part about _implementing_ __toString())
Cam
You are correct thanks, have modified my answer.
Greg K
Was this here before my answer?! Sorry, didnt see it. Deleted mine, upvoted yours.
Gordon
A: 

In your case, you should simply use

$firstapiOutput->document_number

as the input for the second api.

Tomasz Struczyński