[eluser]donald.tbd[/eluser]
Hello,
In my previous framework i used to describe my database structure in the model, that would help my with validation, inserting, form generation and such. I also tried it in CI.
Here is what it looks like:
For example i have a table that holds forum thread posts.
In my model i will have:
Code:
$this->set_structure(
array(
"user_id" => array(
"field" => "user_id",
"label" => "user_id",
"rules" => "required"
),
"title" => array(
"field" => "title",
"label" => "title",
"rules" => "required"
),
"content" => array(
"field" => "content",
"label" => "content",
"rules" => ""
)
)
);
Now, the first thing this is helpful with is validation. In my controller i use it like this:
Code:
$this->form_validation->set_rules($this->model->get_structure());
$this->form_validation->run()
I could also put the same thing into config file and access it a bit faster but to me it seems that its more apropriate in the model file cos it basicly is the descrpition of the table i am using.
Also, a big pluss in this case is that if i havent worked on a project for a while and have forgotten the db structure then i can just see it in the beginning of every model file and i know exactly what i am working with.
The other thing i use it for is inserting data. For example if i submit a form then there might be some unneeded data there (submit, maybe even some user added fields in hacking purposes or something like that)
Basicly what i do is just before inserting data i pass it on through a function that looks like this:
Code:
function populate_structure($input){
$output = array();
foreach($input as $key => $value){
if(array_key_exists($key, $this->get_structure())){
$output[$key] = $value;
}
}
return $output;
}
This way i get rid of all unneeded fields and i can be sure that the array i am giving to insert function of CI is pretty much safe.
And for last this could also be used very well for generating forms. I havent gotten to that part yet but it is possible!
Thats pretty much it. What i would like to know is if anyone else is using this kind of logic? Maybe give some new suggestions how to make it better / even more comfortable. Or just tell me what you think about this idea, whats good/bad about it, so i can make it better.
Thanks!
