How do I render a nested array in CakePHP's view?

Question

I have a nested array that is compiled via the model in a CakePHP request. The array can be nested at a variable depth, and the content is to be returned to the user.

Currently the looping and rendering process for this array is completed using a function in the View element of the request. This function is first called at the base array's depth, and repeated for any array element that has further array children. eg.

function print_depth($elements) {
  foreach($elements as $element) {
    echo $element['title'];

    if($element['children']) {
      print_depth($element['children']);
    }
  }
}

print_depth($elements);

With this process, I can print out all levels of the array, whilst still keeping the markup flexibility within the view (hence, it is skinnable), but I imagine this is the incorrect location for the function that handles this.

Is there a more MVC-valid process for this operation?

ndm · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-16 06:46:13Z

2

From an MVC point of view it's probably right where it belongs, since it's the views responsibility to prepare data for visual representation. However for a more DRY approach, you could implement this functionality in a helper.

answered Oct 16, 2012 at 6:46

ndm

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2 Comments

Rhys Over a year ago

Thanks, but wouldn't this be invalid simply because the function would be existing within the function that calls the view file? I know PHP will allow this, but thought it was frowning upon.

ndm Over a year ago

Generally I wouldn't call it invalid, it's just a little "dirty" because it could easily violate the DRY principle when needed in multiple views, and because it will become a globally accessible function, which some people might consider a violation of the MVC principle since it makes "internal" view functionality available outside of the view, however a helper would be available outside of the view too, so I'd say that's kind of splitting hairs. Anyways, for a clean approach you should use a helper, that's the recommended way to go.

floriank · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-16 06:47:58Z

1

Create a helper instead of putting a single function in the view code.

What you do sounds like rendering a tree, there is already a tree helper out there.

https://github.com/CakeDC/utils/blob/master/View/Helper/TreeHelper.php

answered Oct 16, 2012 at 6:47

floriank

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