Varien.md

Create your own array-like collection

Pretty simple. Use the Varien_Data_Collection, fill it with Varien_Object but remember to provide an ID in every data-set.

class MyOwn_Extension_Model_Foo_Collection
      extends Varien_Data_Collection
{
    public $_collectionCache = array();

    public function load($printQuery = false, $logQuery = false)
    {
        if (!$this->isLoaded()) {
            $modulesArray = (array) Mage::getConfig()->getNode('modules')->children();

            foreach ($modulesArray as $name => $singleModule) {
            
                $extensionModel = new Varien_Object();
                $extensionModel->setData(
                    array(
                        'id' => uniqid(), // sometimes needed by Collection
                        'name' => $name,
                    )
                );

                $this->addItem($extensionModel);
            }
        }
    }
}