How do the spl_autoload_register do with array not function name?

Question

In Laravel's AliasLoader, it will register to spl_autoload_register like this:

spl_autoload_register([$this, 'load'], true, true);

What does spl_autoload_register do with the array [$this, 'load']?

Answer 1

The first argument of spl_autoload_register is a callable, as explained in the documentation.

The documentation for the callabletype says:

A method of an instantiated object is passed as an array containing an object at index 0 and the method name at index 1. Accessing protected and private methods from within a class is allowed.

In the case for your question, [$this, 'load'] refers to the method load() on the same class where spl_autoload_register is called.

E.g. something like this:

class Foo {

  public function register() {

     spl_autoload_register([$this, 'load'], true, true);
  }

  public function load($className) {
     // do your loading
  }
}

$autoloader = new Foo();
$autoloader->register();