CodeIgniter: view is not generated in a certain case - php

Question

Starting from a variable called $data, which is an associative array which includes an object, and whose printed value is this:
Array
(
[item] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 1
[tipo] => 0
[idioma] => es
[nombre] => Artí­culo de prueba
[titulo] => Esto es un artí­culo de prueba
[alias] => articulo-de-prueba
[texto] => Lorem ipsum etc etc
[url] =>
[video] =>
[fecha_c] => 2012-11-27 10:50:37
[fecha_m] => 2012-11-27 17:00:00
[fecha_p] => 2012-11-28 00:00:00
[destacado] => 0
[status] => 1
)
[imagenes] => Array
(
)
)
I need to filter its value and assign it to another array, this way:
protected function load_form($data = '') {
$this->load->helper('form');
// If item data have been sent, pass it to the form view to edit it.
// Else display empty form for new item.
if (! empty($data)) {
// Data can be an associative array with an object and another array or just an object
if (array_key_exists('item', $data)) {
$this->_vars['item'] =& $data['item'];
}
else {
$this->_vars['item'] =& $data;
}
if (array_key_exists('imagenes', $data)) {
$this->_vars['imagenes'] = $data['imagenes'];
}
}
$view = $this->load->view(ADMIN_FORMS_PATH . $this->_controller . '_form', $this->_vars, true);
/*DEBUG*/ echo $view; // just for debugging purposes
}
The first assignment generates these errors:
A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Undefined index:
item Filename: core/Admin_Controller.php Line Number: 205
A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Object of class
stdClass could not be converted to int Filename:
core/Admin_Controller.php Line Number: 205
It behaves like the item index doesn't exist, and it does. Also, it tries to convert the object to an integer.
Why does it happen and what should I do to fix it?
EDIT:
I was doing &= instead of =&. That's the reason of the errors.
Anyway, the problem persists and the code seems to stop.
EDIT2:
Trying to redefine the problem. It might be something related to CodeIgniter, so I've added the whole function, including CodeIgniter functions.
The load_form() method can be invoked from a request to create a new item, in which case $data is empty, or from a request to edit a given item (in $data). In the first case (creation), the debug line is executed, but not in the second case (edition).

Answer 1

This may be your issue. Near the end you have"$datos['imagenes'];" where it should be "$data['imagenes'];"
if (! empty($data)) {
// Data can be an object, or an array with object + array of images
if (array_key_exists('item', $data)) {
$this->_vars['item'] &= $data['item'];
}
else {
$this->_vars['item'] = $data;
}
if (array_key_exists('imagenes', $data)) {
$this->_vars['imagenes'] = $data['imagenes'];
}
}

Answer 2

Problem solved. It was too simple.
It was inside the view. I was trying to echo:
$item['id']
instead of
$item->id
The item data is being retrieved as an object, not an array. It was causing the problem silently, without any warning, notice or error.
Anyway I appreciate your quick help.