Empty model becomes [] when converted to string (json)

Why does an empty model become [] when casted to a string?

$p = new Post;
echo $p;
// Outputs []

I can't understand why the model becomes an empty array in json format. I would expect an empty object.

If I, however give the model an attribute during instantiation it behaves as I would predict.

$p = new Post(['slug' => 'example-post']);
echo $p;
// Outputs {"slug":"example-post"}

Can anyone tell me the reason why the object becomes an empty array in the first example?

Level 60

basically

echo json_encode([])

which outputs "[]"

1 like

Level 5

But is there a particular reason that an empty Laravel model becomes an empty array when encoded to json?

json_encode(new Post);
//  "[]"

While any other empty object stays an empty object while encoded to json?

json_encode(new \stdClass);
// "{}"

Level 60

@la-bas yes, because of JsonSerializable

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