How do I check if an ElggGroup exists using the name?

Question

I just want something similar to the function get_user_by_username for groups.

Some hints: The name of the group is a builtin attribute of groups accessible through group->name. It looks like the metadata functions don't work for builtin attributes.

I'm using Elgg 1.8.1

Answer 1

I solved this with this function. I included it in a pull request to Elgg.

See also Cash' comment suggesting to use elgg_get_entities to do the same thing more easily.