// PHP auto-creates container arrays and NULL entries without error if $ref
// is NULL, but throws an error if $ref is set, but not an array.
if ($force && isset($ref) && !is_array($ref)) {
// PHP auto-creates container arrays and NULL entries without error if $ref
// is NULL, but throws an error if $ref is set, but not an array.
if ($force && isset($ref) && !is_array($ref)) {