Get the handle of a Matrix block

Question

I am performing the following query, which returns me an array of matrix blocks:

$criteria = craft()->elements->getCriteria(ElementType::MatrixBlock);
$criteria->relatedTo = array(someCoolId, anotherCoolId);
$relatedStories = $criteria->find();

When looping through this array, I was wondering if it was possible to access the handle of the matrix block that I am currently in. Reason being is I would like to retrieve this as a string, and perform some type of work on it.

Answer 1

You can grab the handle of an element that has different types (entries, matrix) with getType()->handle for example:

$handle = $entry->getType()->handle

In your case

$criteria = craft()->elements->getCriteria(ElementType::MatrixBlock);
$criteria->relatedTo = array(someCoolId, anotherCoolId);
$relatedStories = $criteria->find();
foreach ($relatedStories as $block){
    $handle = $block->getType()->handle;
    switch ($handle){
        case 'foo':
            break;
    }
}

Edit:

Not sure what you mean exactly so I'll just insert some random code parts until something is correct.

// get the parent element -> the owner of that block.
$parent = $block->getOwner()

// get the field that relates both elements
$field = craft()->fields->getFieldById($block->fieldId);
$fieldHandle = $field->handle;