title: PHP json_decode: Object to Associative Array
body: <p>The syntax for json_decode is:</p>
  
  <pre><code>mixed json_decode ( string $json [, bool $assoc = false [, int $depth = 512 [, int $options = 0 ]]] )
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Note the 2nd parameter <code>$assoc</code> which is optional and defaults to false.
  When this parameter is <code>true</code>, <code>json_decode</code> converts objects to associative arrays.</p>
  
  <p>My question is:
  Is there every a case where you would <strong>NOT</strong> want to convert a returned object into an associative array?</p>