Question about var_dump($object) output

[NotionCommotion]

What does the #1 in object(stdClass)#1 (3) {} represent?

<?php
$a = (object) array('a'=>1, 'b'=>2, 'c'=>array("a", "b", "c"));
var_dump($a);

[Michael@devserver react]$ php var_dump.php
object(stdClass)#1 (3) {
  ["a"]=>
  int(1)
  ["b"]=>
  int(2)
  ["c"]=>
  array(3) {
    [0]=>
    string(1) "a"
    [1]=>
    string(1) "b"
    [2]=>
    string(1) "c"
  }
}
[Michael@devserver react]$

[requinix]

It's a counter PHP manages for object instances - no two that exist at the same time will have the same number.

[NotionCommotion]

It's a counter PHP manages for object instances - no two that exist at the same time will have the same number.

 

Thanks.  Why doesn't SplObjectStorage use it to identify objects (I believe it uses a hash of the object)?  Other than to PHP, is this number useful?  I guess it can be used when debugging to confirm one is looking at the same object.  Is there any a time one would use this number in a script?

[requinix]

Why doesn't SplObjectStorage use it to identify objects (I believe it uses a hash of the object)?

That's right, and I don't know. It's quite possible - likely, even - that I don't know the full story behind what the number is and how it works.

 

Other than to PHP, is this number useful?

Only when debugging.

 

I guess it can be used when debugging to confirm one is looking at the same object.

Right.

 

Is there any a time one would use this number in a script?

Nope.