Question

I have three models: User Image Group.

• User belongs to an image;
• Group belongs to a User (admin)
• Group Has and belongs to user;
• User has and belongs to group;
• User and group model are connected with users_groups table;

When I am viewing a group there is listing the members (Users, this works) I need to extract them images what should I do?

Answer 1

You should use the ContainableBehavior. It will allow you to control what data you pull.

First, add it to your AppModel. I also always set $recursive = -1 so extra data is never pulled. Be careful with doing this with an existing app that relied on $recursive data.

class AppModel extends Model {
    public $recursive = -1;
    public $actsAs = array('Containable');
}

Then, during a find call, use the ‘contain’ query key. For example, on your GroupsController:

public function view($id = null) {
  $results = $this->Group->find('first', array(
    'conditions' => array(
        'Group.id' => $id
    ),
    'contain' => array(
        'User' => array(
            'Image'
        )
    )
  ));
}

This will bring in the User information associated with the group, along with the Image information associated with the users.