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March 03, 2025 00:36
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Zend Framework Cheatsheet

A quick reference guide for Zend Framework, covering essential components, configurations, and best practices.

Module Management

Module Structure

A Zend Framework module typically includes the following directories:

  • config/: Configuration files (module.config.php)
  • src/: Source code (controllers, models, forms, etc.)
  • view/: View scripts
  • Module.php: Module class

Module Configuration

module.config.php

Main configuration file for the module. Defines routes, controllers, services, and view configurations.

Module.php

Module class that defines the getConfig() method to merge module-specific configurations.

Loading Modules

Modules are typically loaded in the config/application.config.php file under the modules key.

Example: module.config.php 

return [
    'controllers' => [
        'factories' => [
            'MyModule\Controller\Index' => 'MyModule\Factory\IndexControllerFactory',
        ],
    ],
    'router' => [
        'routes' => [
            'mymodule' => [
                'type'    => 'Literal',
                'options' => [
                    'route'    => '/mymodule',
                    'defaults' => [
                        'controller' => 'MyModule\Controller\Index',
                        'action'     => 'index',
                    ],
                ],
            ],
        ],
    ],
    'view_manager' => [
        'template_path_stack' => [
            'mymodule' => __DIR__ . '/../view',
        ],
    ],
];

Controllers and Actions

Controller Basics

Controllers handle incoming requests and return responses.

  • Extend AbstractActionController.
  • Define action methods (e.g., indexAction()).
  • Retrieve request parameters using $this->params().

Action Methods

indexAction()

Default action method. Typically displays a list of resources or a homepage.

createAction()

Handles the creation of a new resource, typically via a form submission.

updateAction()

Handles the updating of an existing resource, typically via a form submission.

deleteAction()

Handles the deletion of a resource.

Example: Controller 

namespace MyModule\Controller;

use Zend\Mvc\Controller\AbstractActionController;
use Zend\View\Model\ViewModel;

class IndexController extends AbstractActionController
{
    public function indexAction()
    {
        return new ViewModel();
    }
}

View Layer

View Scripts

View scripts are PHP files that generate the HTML output.

  • Located in the view/ directory of a module.
  • Use the .phtml extension.
  • Access variables passed from the controller.

View Helpers

$this->url()

Generates a URL based on a route name.

$this->form()

Renders a form.

$this->escapeHtml()

Escapes HTML entities in a string.

$this->translate()

Translates a string using the translation service.

Example: View Script 

<h1>Welcome!</h1>

<p>This is a sample view script.</p>

<a href="<?php echo $this->url('mymodule'); ?>">MyModule Home</a>

Layouts

Layouts provide a consistent structure for multiple pages. Configure the layout in the view_manager section of your module.config.php or application.config.php.
Set the default layout with 'template' => 'layout/layout'.

Forms and Input Filters

Form Basics

Forms are used to handle user input.

  • Extend Zend\Form\Form.
  • Add elements with appropriate input types.
  • Validate input using input filters.

Input Filters

Zend\InputFilter\InputFilter

Used to define validation rules for form elements.

Validators

Examples: StringLength, EmailAddress, NotEmpty

Filters

Examples: StringTrim, StripTags, ToInt

Example: Form 

namespace MyModule\Form;

use Zend\Form\Form;
use Zend\Form\Element;

class MyForm extends Form
{
    public function __construct($name = null, $options = [])
    {
        parent::__construct($name, $options);

        $this->add([new Element\Text('username')]);
        $this->add([new Element\Email('email')]);
        $this->add([new Element\Submit('submit', ['label' => 'Submit'])]);
    }
}