How to Check for a Specific Type of Object in PHP

0 votes

I have a method which accepts a PDO object as an argument, to allow the user to use an existing connection rather then the method to open a new one, and save resources:

public static function databaseConnect($pdo = null) {

I am aware of is_object() to check if the argument is an object, but I want to check if $pdo is a PDO object, and not just an object.

Because the user can easily enter (by mistake?) a different kind of object, a mysqli or such, and the entire script will break apart.

In short: How can I check a variable for a specific type of object?

Oct 30, 2020 in PHP by kartik
• 37,510 points
1,414 views

1 answer to this question.

0 votes

Hello @kartik,

You can use instanceof:

if ($pdo instanceof PDO) {
    // it's PDO
}

Be aware though, you can't negate like !instanceof, so you'd instead do:

if (!($pdo instanceof PDO)) {
    // it's not PDO
}

Also, looking over your question, you can use object type-hinting, which helps enforce requirements, as well as simplify your check logic:

function connect(PDO $pdo = null)
{
    if (null !== $pdo) {
        // it's PDO since it can only be
        // NULL or a PDO object (or a sub-type of PDO)
    }
}

connect(new SomeClass()); // fatal error, if SomeClass doesn't extend PDO

Typed arguments can be required or optional:

// required, only PDO (and sub-types) are valid
function connect(PDO $pdo) { }

// optional, only PDO (and sub-types) and 
// NULL (can be omitted) are valid
function connect(PDO $pdo = null) { }

Untyped arguments allow for flexibility through explicit conditions:

// accepts any argument, checks for PDO in body
function connect($pdo)
{
    if ($pdo instanceof PDO) {
        // ...
    }
}

// accepts any argument, checks for non-PDO in body
function connect($pdo)
{
    if (!($pdo instanceof PDO)) {
        // ...
    }
}

// accepts any argument, checks for method existance
function connect($pdo)
{
    if (method_exists($pdo, 'query')) {
        // ...
    }
}

Hope it helps!!

answered Oct 30, 2020 by Niroj
• 82,880 points

Related Questions In PHP

0 votes
1 answer

How to get the list of specific files in a directory using php?

Hello @kartik, You'll be wanting to use glob() Example: $files = ...READ MORE

answered Nov 6, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
1,807 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to resolve the problem of losing a session after a redirect in PHP?

Hello @kartik, Carry out these usual checks: Make sure session_start(); is ...READ MORE

answered Aug 24, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
32,549 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to check whether property exists in object or class in php?

Hello @kartik, Using  property_exists( mixed $class , string $property ...READ MORE

answered Oct 1, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
5,496 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to convert a string to JSON object in PHP?

Hello @kartik, it seems that your JSON is ...READ MORE

answered Oct 20, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
4,992 views
+1 vote
1 answer

How to make anchor tag with routing using Laravel?

Hey @kartik, First you have to go to ...READ MORE

answered Mar 18, 2020 in Laravel by Niroj
• 82,880 points
21,750 views
0 votes
1 answer

What is redirection in Laravel?

Named route is used to give specific ...READ MORE

answered Mar 18, 2020 in Laravel by Niroj
• 82,880 points
2,647 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to install Laravel via composer?

Hello, This is simple you just need to ...READ MORE

answered Mar 23, 2020 in Laravel by Niroj
• 82,880 points
2,504 views
+1 vote
1 answer

What are named routes in Laravel and How can specify route names for controller actions?

Hey @kartik, Named routing is another amazing feature of ...READ MORE

answered Mar 23, 2020 in Laravel by Niroj
• 82,880 points
41,371 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to check an IP address is within a range of two IPs in PHP?

Hello @kartik, With ip2long() it's easy to convert your addresses ...READ MORE

answered Nov 3, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
3,165 views
0 votes
1 answer

How to remove a child with a specific attribute, in SimpleXML for PHP?

Hii, Just unset the node: $str = <<<STR <a> ...READ MORE

answered Nov 5, 2020 in PHP by Niroj
• 82,880 points
3,727 views
webinar REGISTER FOR FREE WEBINAR X
REGISTER NOW
webinar_success Thank you for registering Join Edureka Meetup community for 100+ Free Webinars each month JOIN MEETUP GROUP