Datamapper validation with form validation - Codeigniter - php

Question

I'm using this datamapper http://datamapper.wanwizard.eu
problem is datamapper have validation methods similar with codeigniter form validation.but not as same.
An example, a model admins model validation array:
public $validation = array(
'username' => array(
'rules' => array('unique', 'required', 'trim', 'max_length' => 60, 'min_length' => 3),
'label' => 'User'
),
'password' => array(
'rules' => array('required', 'trim', 'encrypt', 'min_length' => 6),
'label' => 'Password'
)
);
but form validation array must be like that:
public $form_validation = array(
array(
'field' => 'username',
'label' => 'User',
'rules' => 'unique|required|trim|max_length[60]|min_length[3]'
),
array(
'field' => 'password',
'label' => 'Password',
'rules' => 'required|trim|encrypt|min_length[6]'
)
);
I don't want to make two manual validation for new admin adding (first form validation, after datamapper validation). I think there is a way to make this with just one manual validation.
sorry my bad English, I hope you understand. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Using the Datamapper's validation alone should be enough, without the CI's form library.
When you try to save the model, the save() method will return a true or false depending on if the save was successful. If it isn't the model's error property should be filled with the error messages generated for the validation that failed. The messages can be loaded from language files with keys named appropriately, also the codeigniter's form validation library's form_validaton_lang.php is loaded too.
In your controller you could make use of them like this:
Class TheController extends CI_Controller {
function save() {
// get the model object somehow
// ...
// update attributes
$model->prop0 = $this->input->post('prop0');
$model->prop1 = $this->input->post('prop1');
// try to save it
if ($model->save()) {
// save successful
redirect(...);
} else {
// save failed load form again, with the model
$this->load->view('path/to/the/form', array('model' => $model));
}
}
}
The view could work like this:
<form method="post" action="...">
<label>prop0</label>
<input type="text" name="prop0" value="<?php print $model->prop0?> ">
<?php if (!empty($model->error->prop0)):?>
<div class="error"><?php print $model->error->prop1; ?></div>
<?php endif; ?>
<label>prop1</label>
<input type="text" name="prop1" value="<?php print $model->prop1?> ">
<?php if (!empty($model->error->prop0)):?>
<div class="error"><?php print $model->error->prop1; ?></div>
<?php endif; ?>
<buton type="submit">go</button>
</form>
The same form can be used when no previous model exists in the database, just create an empty instance of the model you need, and pass it to the form.