Associative Arrays vs Objects issue

###The problem Since json_encode output always an object when you passing into an associative array, it can cause problem. Take a look for this example:

On server side we have made xyService and xyServiceImpl and one of xyServiceImpl function look like this:

...
function getClassMembersAsAssoc() {
    return get_object_vars($object);
}
...

So, when you call on client side this,

$request = $client->call(new RpcRequest('getClassMembersAsAssoc'));
echo '<pre>';
var_dump($request);
echo '</pre>';

The response is not what you expect, altough the get_object_vars returns an associative array of defined object accessible non-static properties.

object(stdClass)#20 (3) {
  ["jsonrpc"]=>
  string(3) "2.0"
  ["result"]=>
  object(stdClass)#21 (2) {
    ["a"]=>
    int(10)
    ["b"]=>
    int(20)
  }
  ["id"]=>
  int(1)
}

###The solution The solution is very easy, when you expect an associative array in response before using you should typecasting the result field, so

$request->result is

object(stdClass)#21 (2) {
  ["a"]=>
  int(10)
  ["b"]=>
  int(20)
}

then (array) $request->result is

array(2) {
  ["a"]=>
  int(10)
  ["b"]=>
  int(20)
}