__set_state() Method

__set_state() is a magic method : it is called when an object has been exported with var_export(), and has to be instantiated again.

__set_state() is tasked with recreating the object, assigning the previous values to it, and recreating any missing properties, such as database connections or resources.

The __set_state() method has no counterpart : var_export() do not use any magic method.

__set_state() is a static method, unlike the other magic methods.

<?php

class x {
     private $values = ['a' => 1,
                                        'b' => 2,
                                        ];

     // Checks the dictionary, or return 0
    public static function __set_state($array)
     $object = new self();

             // This takes advantage of PHP object invasion
     $object->values['a'] = $array['a'] ?? '0';
     $object->values['b'] = $array['b'] ?? '0';

             return $object;
     }
}

?>

Documentation

See also https://www.softcoded.com/articles/set_state.php

Related : Magic Methods, Object Invasion