What is the meaning of the asterisk before an array key name in print_r

Question

When using print_r($myArray, true) for one of my arrays I get:

Array
(
     [id] => 14
     [name] => My Name
     [*createdAt] => Carbon\Carbon Object
         (
             [date] => 2020-03-18 10:00:26.000000
             [timezone_type] => 3
             [timezone] => UTC
         )

     [*updatedAt] => Carbon\Carbon Object
         (
             [date] => 2020-08-26 10:10:10.000000
             [timezone_type] => 3
             [timezone] => UTC
         )
)

What is the meaning of the asterisk in [*createdAt] and [*updatedAt]?

Also, I cannot access these fields. How can I access them?

Could be worth checking [PHP doesn't find array elements](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/25303092/php-doesnt-find-array-elements) — Nigel Ren, Aug 26 '20 at 10:25

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 26 '20 at 11:11

3

The asterisk indicates an Object. And it is protected. This is the reason why you can't access them.

answered Aug 26 '20 at 11:11

Dieter Kräutl

657
4
8

What is the meaning of the asterisk before an array key name in print_r

1 Answers1