Multi-Format Serializer

One entry point to convert data from any supported format to any other: load it once, ask for the format you need.

Why

Every format has its own PHP function and its own edge cases: json_encode(), a YAML library, SimpleXML, fputcsv(), serialize(). Code that turns a model into JSON today and into YAML or CSV tomorrow ends up with one branch per format, each with its own way to skip a property or drop a null.

Serializer puts all of them behind one interface. Load the data with Serialize::from…(), then ask for the output with to…():

Serialize::from($user)->toJson();                 // object → JSON
Serialize::fromJson($payload)->toYaml();          // JSON   → YAML
Serialize::fromCsv($file)->toArray();             // CSV    → array
Serialize::fromXml($soapBody)->toJson();          // XML    → JSON
Serialize::from($rows)
    ->withIgnoreProperties(['password'])
    ->toXml();                                    // array  → XML, without a field

Any source works with any output:

Source	Output
from() — object or array	toArray()
fromJson()	toJson()
fromYaml()	toYaml()
fromCsv()	toCsv()
fromXml()	toXml()
fromPhpSerialize()	toPhpSerialize()
	toPlainText() (output only)

The property rules (withIgnoreProperties(), withOnlyProperties(), withDoNotParseNullValues(), attributes, ...) are set once and apply whatever the output.

Features

• Format Conversion: Read objects, arrays, JSON, YAML, XML, CSV or PHP-serialized data, and write any of them, plus plain text
• Property Control: Filter, transform, and manipulate object properties during conversion
• Object Mapping: Copy properties between different object structures with intelligent mapping
• Property Pattern Matching: Customize how properties are matched and transformed
• Attribute Support: Process PHP attributes during serialization and deserialization
• Type Safety: Maintain data types during transformations

Quick Examples

Convert an object to JSON

$object = new MyClass();
$json = \ByJG\Serializer\Serialize::from($object)
    ->toJson();

Copy properties between objects

$source = ["id" => 1, "name" => "John"];
$target = new User();
\ByJG\Serializer\ObjectCopy::copy($source, $target);

Create a copyable object

class User implements \ByJG\Serializer\ObjectCopyInterface
{
    use \ByJG\Serializer\ObjectCopyTrait;
    
    public $id;
    public $name;
    
    // Automatically inherits copyFrom() and copyTo() methods
}

Documentation

Core Components

Component	Description	Link
Serialize	Core component for converting objects between formats	Documentation
ObjectCopy	Final utility class for copying properties between objects	Documentation
ObjectCopyTrait	Trait implementing copyable object functionality	Documentation
ObjectCopyInterface	Interface for implementing copyable objects	Documentation
BaseModel	Abstract base class with object copying functionality	Documentation
DirectTransform	Basic property handler for direct transformations in ObjectCopy	Documentation

Guides

• Formatters - JSON, XML, YAML, CSV, and Plain Text output formatting, and reading XML
• Property Handlers - Transform property names and values during copying
• Advanced Usage - Performance optimization, security, and complex patterns
• Integration Examples - Framework integration (Symfony, Laravel, Doctrine, etc.)
• ByJG Ecosystem - How Serializer integrates with other ByJG components
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

Installation

composer require "byjg/serializer"

Running Tests

./vendor/bin/phpunit

---

Open source ByJG