array_multisort with multi-dimensional object array

Question

I want to sort a multi-dimensional array in which each array is an object. The example at

http://php.net/manual/en/function.array-multisort.php

indicates the need to create an array of the columns on which to sort

foreach ($data as $key => $row) {
    $volume[$key]  = $row['volume'];
    $edition[$key] = $row['edition'];
}

array_multisort($volume, SORT_DESC, $edition, SORT_ASC, $data);

but I get the followiwng error if I format my request in this format:

Catchable fatal error: Object of class stdClass could not be converted to string

Code is as follows with a key/value pair for last name with key last_name:

foreach ($mw_users as $key => $value) {
$last_name[$key]  = $row['last_name'];
}

array_multisort($last_name, SORT_ASC, $mw_users);

You can't sort objects, you need to sort on a number or string. — Revent
– Revent, Commented Apr 24, 2013 at 18:32
I want to sort on one element in the object in this case the last_name — user2316819
– user2316819, Commented Apr 24, 2013 at 18:47
Found the answer - define an array for each column you wish to sort by and add the column values using the object reference syntax: foreach ($mw_users as $mw_user) { $lastnames[] = $mw_user->last_name; $firstnames[] = $mw_user->first_name; } array_multisort($lastnames, SORT_ASC, $firstnames, SORT_ASC, $mw_users); — user2316819
– user2316819, Commented Apr 24, 2013 at 19:15
If that works, then please post your answer in the answer section for posterity. — Revent
– Revent, Commented Apr 24, 2013 at 19:42
am not able to for another 7 hours according to stackoverflow but shall do then. — user2316819
– user2316819, Commented Apr 24, 2013 at 19:59

bzeaman · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-17 23:50:44Z

2

Define an array for each column you wish to sort by and add the column values using the object reference syntax:

// Obtain a list of columns
foreach ($mw_users as $mw_user) {
    $lastnames[]  = $mw_user->last_name;
    $firstnames[] = $mw_user->first_name;
}

// Sort the data with volume descending, edition ascending
// Add $mw_users as the last parameter, to sort by the common key
array_multisort($lastnames, SORT_ASC, $firstnames, SORT_ASC, $mw_users);

It's similar to sorting database results: http://php.net/...array-multisort.php....

edited Mar 17, 2015 at 23:50

bzeaman

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answered Apr 25, 2013 at 13:49

user2316819

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Comments

DoverAudio · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-08 19:24:46Z

0

When sorting arrays of objects in PHP, it helps to override __tostring() magic method. That way the various sort methods perceive the object as something comparable. For example, a staff object could output the name, or staff id of that staff member.

answered Jul 8, 2014 at 19:24

DoverAudio

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