How do I change the output of the serialization from my entity? - symfony

Question

$normalizer = new ObjectNormalizer();
// $normalizer->setCircularReferenceLimit(2);
$normalizer->setCircularReferenceHandler(function ($object) {
return $object->getId();
});
$normalizer->setIgnoredAttributes(array('users', '__initializer__', '__cloner__', 'authkey', '__isInitialized__', "products"));
$serializer = new Serializer(array($normalizer), array(new JsonEncoder()));
return new JsonResponse($serializer->serialize($product, 'json'));
Thats the result:
{
"id": 128,
"name": "product",
"price": 12,
"category": {
"id": 58,
"name": "category",
"company": {
"id": 1,
"name": "foo",
"tables": []
}
},
"description": "this is a product",
"company": {
"id": 1,
"name": "foo",
"tables": []
}
}
but how can i get the following result:
{
"id": 128,
"name": "product",
"price": 12,
"category": {
"name": "category"
},
"description": "this is a product",
"company": {
"id": 1,
"name": "foo",
"tables": []
}
}
How can I variate between the values?
for example I want here:
"category": {
"name": "category" },
later the id as well.

Answer 1

Take a look at the serializer component Attributes Groups. I believe this is what you are looking for.
You can select which entity properties should be included in each particular response.
Just simply set group in an entity
/**
* #Groups({"group1", "group2"})
*/
public $foo;
And then specify group or an array of groups for serialization
$serializer = new Serializer(array($normalizer));
$data = $serializer->normalize($obj, null, array('groups' => 'group1'));
Sometimes just groups is not enough, that is when you can use Doctrine hydrator. This is a bit more complex solution, but this gives you much more possibilities.
Normally you would use Attributes Groups when you need to make a simple selection - retrieve one particular entity or a collection of entities with some joined entities (use groups for joins as well). Doctrine hydrator is used when you need an aggregated selection, for example retrieve data from table that does not has specified relation, or add combined data along with regular data.