Loss of functionality by casting to array, should be changed.

[OzanKurt]

In src/Helper.php, why would I cast a useful object to an array and lose all the functionality they provide?

For example:

I have a scheduled_at column, which should be rendered as d-m-Y H:i, and I can't use ->format() on it because it has been cast to an array from a Carbon\Carbon object.

    /**
     * Cast the parameter into an array.
     *
     * @param mixed $param
     * @return array
     */
    public static function castToArray($param)
    {
        if ($param instanceof \stdClass) {
            $param = (array) $param;

            return $param;
        }

        if ($param instanceof Arrayable) {
            return $param->toArray();
        }

        return $param;
    }

[OzanKurt]

    /**
     * Get a mixed value of custom data and the parameters.
     *
     * @param  array $data
     * @param  mixed $param
     * @return array
     */
    public static function getMixedValue(array $data, $param)
    {
//        $param = self::castToArray($param);

        foreach ($data as $key => $value) {
            if (isset($param[$key])) {
                $data[$key] = $param[$key];
            }
        }

        return $data;
    }

I commented out the part where it casts the data to array, please let me know if this harms my app in any way.

[yajra]

Can't recall the idea behind it but I think this is also related to this #641.

[OzanKurt]

:/ It seem to work well without that, for me.

[yajra]

@OzanKurt your use case for this is on blade templating right?

->addColumn('html', 'path.to.view')

[OzanKurt]

yes

[yajra]

Copy! on v8, I added a model key that will be passed on the view. You can then use it for all necessary functionalities. All attributes will still be casted to array variables though.

// action.blade.php
{{ $model->scheduled_at->format('Y-m-d') }}
{{ $id }}

[yajra]

BTW, can I get your input on issue #1246? Do you think it's a good move to change the namespace or it will be a hassle for everyone to upgrade? I can revert to old namespace to lessen the BC if others don't like it. Thanks!