Convert CActiveDataProvider to associative array

Here is an example on how to convert CActiveDataProvider to a simple associative array.

[code language=”php”]
$dataProvider = new CActiveDataProvider(‘Users’);
$data = array();

foreach($dataProvider->getData() as $r)
{
$rowArray = array();

foreach($dataProvider->model->tableSchema->columns as $c) $rowArray[$c->name] = $r[$c->name];

$data[] = $rowArray;
}
[/code]

Columns names are read from table schema, so you don’t have to know table (model) structure to use this.

Missing colon in field’s labels

By default, Yii renders all forms with field’s labels not containing colon after label. This may be unwanted effect for some. The easiest way would be to change field’s label to contain that missing colon. But, that would produce an even more unwanted side-effect of having that colon included (as part of field label) in error message, when validation fails. Here is my simple workaround for this problem.

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Is it possible to convert working pure PHP appication to Yii

I was once asked, if it would be possible to do step-by-step conversion of a large project written in pure PHP into Yii. In my opinion, it is possible, but absolutely not worth it.

Most professional frameworks are complete opposite to “pure PHP” code in actually all areas. Code is separated most times (i.e. into model, view and controller in MVC design pattern) and uses mostly framework classes or code. I would even say, that writing an application in some framework means using only 10-20% of pure PHP code and doing rest purely on framework classes, extensions, controllers etc.

In other words: porting a “pure PHP” application into framework code would mean writing that application from scratch. I’m not sure, if you would be able to reuse more than 5% of your original source code?

Show value in every CGridView’s row except first and last

It is quite easy for not showing something in the first row in CGridView. You need to use 'visible'=>'$row > 0' row expression. But, it becomes difficult, when we want to show something in every row except last one.

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Modify CGridView look

The CGridView class in Yii is a state of art solution, that gives you out-of-the-box full model browsing features including filtering, pagination and sorting. The picture would be perfect, if not for default look of grid view, which is a little bit “nasty”! :> It is understandable, as Yii author focused himself on delivering perfectly working framework, that does not necessary have to be pretty in the same time.

However, basing on famous flexibility of all components in Yii, with a help of few simple steps, you can completely change the look & feel of your grid view.

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Understanding… series of articles for Yii 1.1

Suppose, you place your self somewhere in the middle of Yii 1.1 experience ladder. You’re no longer new to Yii 1.1, but you’re not an experienced Yii developer in the same time. In this case, I strongly encourage you to spare half an hour or so on reading articles in Yii Wiki, that are grouped in this table-of-contents article. These articles contains a lot of useful information, a must-know for all experienced Yii developers, that are mostly not know to those with middle experience

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Populate record

You can use CActiveRecord::populateRecord method in Yii to create new record basing on existing one. And, as this descriptions means, you must use it like that:

[code language=”php”]
$data = $this->getUser($id);
$model = new Users;
$model = $model->populateRecord($data, FALSE);
[/code]

instead of (last line):

[code language=”php”]
$model->populateRecord($data, FALSE);
[/code]

because populateRecord creates new model instead of modifying existing one!

Rapidshare-like routes and other urlManager examples

Here is just a bunch of Yii forum topics, that talks various approaches to make Yii application serve Rapidshare-like routes, i.e. URLs without action (with just the controller) or without both controller and action:

1. URL without route and view?.
2. Routing www.domain.com/username.
3. Slugs.

That’s just a memo for me and a start point for future reading, nothing else.

Calling AJAX directly after page loads

It is a simple example how to call AJAX request right as page loads, not requiring user to do any action. This examples correctly handles both expected result and AJAX error and puts it into selected element.

Prevent core scripts from being automatically published in Yii

Yii is automatically publishing core scripts (i.e. jQuery and some others) with each generated page. You may include following piece of code in your application configuration to disable this behavior:

'components' => array(
    'clientScript' => array(
        'scriptMap' => array(
            'jquery.js' => false,
        ),
    ),
)

Refer to Yii API manual, CClientScript::scriptMap section, for more details.