Weird php mysql variable type issue

Question

Now I admit I am slightly new to laravel still, but to me this just does not make sense. The model that goes along with this table contains only 2 functions, both containing a relationship statement.

I am using Laravel4, mysql, php 5.5

Any ideas are welcome :D

The database record-definitions are for both DATETIME, allow null and no default value (changed that after the screenshots)

the $challenge variable is part of the data I pass on to the view like so:

$challenges = Auth::user()->challenges;
$data['challenges'] = $challenges;

return View::make("challenges/topic", $data);

and in the view I use

@foreach($challenges as $challenge)

read the challenge values (I am aware I cant echo like that without php tags or {{ }}, just easier to explain)

echo gettype($challenge->deadline)   // results in string
echo gettype($challenge->created_at) // results in object

Answer 1

Depends on how you access it, if you do:

Route::any('test', ['as' => 'test', function()
{
    $a = Article::first();

    var_dump( gettype($a->created_at) );

    $a = DB::table('articles')->first();

    var_dump( gettype($a->created_at) );

}]);

You will get:

string 'object' (length=6) /// This is Eloquent

string 'string' (length=6) /// This is the QueryBuilder directly accessing your table