Question

Where do i place the user defined functions in zend framework. These functions will used across the framework in many controls, views or models. Do i need to convert this to a utility class? Or i can just keep it as a set of functions and include it in index.php.

what is the best practice for this?

Answer 1

Typically you would put your functions into a class in the library for the auto loader. Use the naming conventions for ZF to make life easier.
adjust your application.ini to add a namespace.

Examples:

//application.ini
autoloaderNamespaces[] = "My_"



 //this would equate to the folder My in the folder library
    /application
      /library
         /My

 //any class you built would be named My_Classname and be called in your app by Classname()
 <?php
  class My_Classname {
     public function myFunction() {
    }
  }

  //in your conrtoller for example you might call 

  public function indexAction()  {
   $class = new My_Classname();
   $class->myFunction();

   //or if you declared myFunction() static...
   $class = My_Classname::myFunction();
  }