Browser detection using Zend Framework or Javascript - php

Question

I am creating an application that requires the ability to upload large files. I have chosen to use the FormData object as using this I can report back to the user the progress.
Not surprisingly IE doesn't support this so I am having to fall back to Flash. What is the best way of detecting for IE 7/8/9+ using Zend Framework? I am loading in the other assets as per needed via the indexAction method in each controller. For example:
public function indexAction()
{
$this->view->stepnumber = 1;
$this->view->stepintro = 'Upload your photo.';
$this->view->headScript()->appendFile($this->view->baseUrl().'/assets/js/fileuploader.js');
}
Now, in one of my pages I have already done some form of browser detection (for some canvas work):
public function indexAction()
{
$u_agent = $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'];
$this->view->stepnumber = 5;
$this->view->stepintro = 'Select your cut out detail.';
if(preg_match('/MSIE/i', $u_agent)) {
$this->view->headScript()->appendFile($this->view->baseUrl().'/assets/js/excanvas.js');
} else {
$this->view->headScript()->appendFile($this->view->baseUrl().'/assets/js/mootools/mootools-canvas-lib/mcl-min.js');
}
$this->view->headScript()->appendFile($this->view->baseUrl().'/assets/js/frank/pentool.js');
$image = $this->uploadsDb->getImage();
$data = $this->nodedataDb->getNodedata($image->id);
$this->view->image = $image;
$this->view->nodeData = $data;
}
I am not too sold on this method though, I would rather check using Javascript as this would be more futureproof (I think). But how would I go about using Javasript within my ZF layout.phtml so I'm only loading the Javascript that I require? Cutting down on calls to the server.
Any help is much appreciated.
SOLUTION:
I have decided to use YepNope:
yepnope({
test : "FormData" in window,
yep : 'normal.js',
nope : 'flashupload.js'
});

Answer 1

if you're looking for a easy way to append css style sheets / javascript files for IE only browsers, you can use the conditional comments argument, as such:
For any file besides css stylesheets:
$this->view->headLink()->appendFile($this->view->baseUrl() . '/media/js/core.js', 'text/javascript', array('conditional' => 'IE');
Note the array('conditional' => 'IE') argument.
For appending stylesheet files, the function arguments are a little different:
$this->view->headLink()->appendStylesheet($this->view->baseUrl() . '/media/css/core.css', 'all', 'IE');
http://framework.zend.com/manual/en/zend.view.helpers.html#zend.view.helpers.initial.headstyle

Answer 2

you can add a javascript in case the feature is not available (i am using jquery for short syntax);
if(typeof featureA == "undefined"){
$("<script/>").attr({
"src" : "/assets/featurea.js",
"type": "text/javascript"
}).appendTo($("head").eq(0));
}
you can use the same for other features so you don't have to download'em all.