Array Properties accept hash with ordered keys and raise error for anything else

lib/couchrest/mixins/associations.rb

@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ module CouchRest
         #
         # Addtional options match those of the the belongs_to method.
         #
+        # NOTE: This method is *not* recommended for large collections or collections that change
+        # frequently! Use with prudence.
+        #
         def collection_of(attrib, *options)
           opts = {
             :foreign_key => attrib.to_s.singularize + '_ids',
@@ -153,7 +156,6 @@ module CouchRest
           EOS
         end
 
-
       end
 
     end
@@ -168,9 +170,9 @@ module CouchRest
     def initialize(array, casted_by, property)
       self.property = property
       self.casted_by = casted_by
-      array ||= []
+      (array ||= []).compact!
       casted_by[property.to_s] = [] # replace the original array!
-      array.each do |obj|
+      array.compact.each do |obj|
         casted_by[property.to_s] << obj.id
       end
       super(array)

lib/couchrest/property.rb

@@ -28,8 +28,18 @@ module CouchRest
     def cast(parent, value)
       return value unless casted
       if type.is_a?(Array)
-        # Convert to array if it is not already
-        value = [value].compact unless value.is_a?(Array)
+        if value.nil?
+          value = []
+        elsif [Hash, HashWithIndifferentAccess].include?(value.class)
+          # Assume provided as a Hash where key is index!
+          data = value
+          value = [ ]
+          data.keys.sort.each do |k|
+            value << data[k]
+          end
+        elsif value.class != Array
+          raise "Expecting an array or keyed hash for property #{parent.class.name}##{self.name}"
+        end
         arr = value.collect { |data| cast_value(parent, data) }
         # allow casted_by calls to be passed up chain by wrapping in CastedArray
         value = type_class != String ? ::CouchRest::CastedArray.new(arr, self) : arr