call values in select box without using zend form - php

Question

I am new to zend framework. I want to call option values in select box dynamically in view file without using zend form. Please help
MY OLD CODE
$txtCategory = new Zend_Form_Element_Select('category');
$txtCategory->setLabel('Category')
->setRequired(true);
$table = new Application_Model_DbTable_Category();
foreach ($table->getcategory() as $c) {
$txtCategory->addMultiOption($c->ExpenseCategoryID, $c->Category);
}
My categories are in select box.

Answer 1

You can simply echo the element on your view if you don't want to use zend_form
In controller
$table = new Application_Model_DbTable_Category();
$this->view->categories = $table->getcategory();
$this->view->selected = "X"; // currently selected value
In view
<form>
<select name="select2" size="3" multiple="multiple" tabindex="1">
<?php $selected = $this->selected;
foreach($this->categories as $c) {
echo "<option value=\"" . $c->ExpenseCategoryID . "\"" . ($c->ExpenseCategoryID == $selected ? " selected=\"selected\">" : ">") . $c->Category . "</option>";
}?>
</select>
//rest of the element
</form>

Answer 2

You're going to need to learn how to use AJAX and javascript to talk to your PHP server. It's going to be a bit harder than using the Zend form like you are now.
Some links with tutorials:
Tutorialspoint on PHP and AJAX
Tutorials point AJAX series