Question

I am learning cakePHP 1.26.
A question came across my mind when I was creating a function in a Controller.
How do I maximize the usability of a self-defined function in CakePHP.

Here is my sample code:

function hello($id=null){

       $IfLoggedIn=$this->Session->check('user');

       if($IfLoggedIn){
        //search the database
        //$result=doing something from the search results
        $this->set('userInfo',$result);
        return "2";

       else if(!$IfLoggedIn && $id!=null){
       return "1";
        }

       else if($sid==null){
       return "0";
        }
}

and then in a .ctp file, I will make use of this function:

$u = $this->requestAction('../hello'); 
if($u==2){
echo "welcome back, my friend";
}
else{
echo "Hello World";

Please advise.

Answer 1

Avoid the use of $this->requestAction() – hello() should be called from the view action and the result passed as a view variable.

Reusability is managed on a cascading system – on the controller it may be accessed by any method on the same controller. On app_controller it can be accessed from any controller. The same principle applies if it is data related – it goes on the model or app_model.

By applying the principles of MVC and OO properly, you’re already doing things optimally.