Base class for common YII functions? - yii

Question

I know how to create a class the will allow me to instantiate it and use across my project. What I want to be able to do is have functions without instantiating classes. For example, I know how to do this:
$core = new core();
$val = $core->convertToMyNotation($anotherval);
But what I want is to be able to do this ANYWHERE in any view, class whatever:
$val = convertToMyNotation($anotherval);
Where would I place these functions in order to be able to do that?

Answer 1

best way to do it, create a public function in components/Controller.php
public function globalFunction(){
// do something here.
}
and access it anywhere by
$this->globalFunction();

Answer 2

You can define a static method as an option.
class core{
public static function convertToMyNotation($value){
//do whatever here
return $value;
}
}
Then call it like so:
$val = core::convertToMyNotation($anotherval);
This requires no instantiation of the object to use. The only restriction is that you cannot use the $this property inside a static method.
Alternately, just define a file with your functions in it and include the file at some point early like, like within the boostrap script in your public_html/index.php file.
Edit: darkheir makes some good suggestions. Include such a class in your protected/components folder, and have it extend CComponent to gain some potentially useful enhancements.
By including the class in the protected/components folder, you gain the advantage of autoloading the class, by default.

Answer 3

There is no definitive question of your answer, it depends a lot on what the function will be doing!
If the function is performing some things specific to a model
(getting the last users, ...) this has to be in the User model as
Willem Renzema described:
class theModelClass {
public static function convertToMyNotation($value){
//do whatever here
return $value;
}
}
And you'll call it like
$val = theModelClass::convertToMyNotation($anotherval);
If the function is handling user inputs (sanitizing he inputs,
checking the values, ...) then it has to go to the controller and
you'll use Hemc solution:
Create a public function in components/Controller.php
public function globalFunction(){
// do something here.
}
and access it anywhere by
$this->globalFunction();
If the function is an Helper: performing some actions that do not
depend on models or user inoput then you can create a new class that
you'll put in your component directory:
class core extends CComponent{
public static function convertToMyNotation($value){
//do whatever here
return $value;
}
}
And
$val = core::convertToMyNotation($anotherval);

Answer 4

Actually, I think you're looking for this answer instead:
http://www.yiiframework.com/wiki/31/use-shortcut-functions-to-reduce-typing/
In essence, in your entry script, before you load up Yii, include a global functions file:
require('path/to/globals.php');
Then, any function defined in that file can be used as a shortcut. Be careful, but enjoy the power! :-)

Answer 5

Create something like
Class Core extends CApplicationComponent{
public function doSomething(){}
}
and in config main.php
'components'=>array(
'core'=>array(
'class' => 'Core'
),
),
and now you can call whenever you want
Yii::app()->core->doSomething();