PHP Type hinting to allow Array or ArrayAccess

Question

Is it possible to allow an Array or an object that implements ArrayAccess?

For example:

class Config implements ArrayAccess {
    ...
}

class I_Use_         


        

Answer 1

No, there is no "clean" way of doing it.

The array type is a primitive type. Objects that implement the ArrayAccess interface are based on classes, also known as a composite type. There is no type-hint that encompasses both.

Since you are using the ArrayAccess as an array you could just cast it. For example:

$config = new Config;
$lol = new I_Use_A_Config( (array) $config);

If that is not an option (you want to use the Config object as it is) then just remove the type-hint and check that it is either an array or an ArrayAccess. I know you wanted to avoid that but it is not a big deal. It is just a few lines and, when all is said and done, inconsequential.