Proper way to use a config file? - php

Question

I just started using a PHP framework, Kohana (V2.3.4) and I am trying to set up a config file for each of my controllers.
I never used a framework before, so obviously Kohana is new to me. I was wondering how I should set up my controllers to read my config file.
For example, I have an article controller and a config file for that controller. I have 3 ways of loading config settings
// config/article.php
$config = array(
'display_limit' => 25, // limit of articles to list
'comment_display_limit' => 20, // limit of comments to list for each article
// other things
);
Should I
A) Load everything into an array of settings
// set a config array
class article_controller extends controller{
public $config = array();
function __construct(){
$this->config = Kohana::config('article');
}
}
B) Load and set each setting as its own property
// set each config as a property
class article_controller extends controller{
public $display_limit;
public $comment_display_limit;
function __construct(){
$config = Kohana::config('article');
foreach ($config as $key => $value){
$this->$key = $value;
}
}
}
C) Load each setting only when needed
// load config settings only when needed
class article_controller extends controller{
function __construct(){}
// list all articles
function show_all(){
$display_limit = Kohana::config('article.display_limit');
}
// list article, with all comments
function show($id = 0){
$comment_display)limit = Kohana::config('article.comment_display_limit');
}
}
Note: Kohana::config() returns an array of items.
Thanks

Answer 1

If you are reading a group of configuration items for a controller, store them in class member ($this->config), if you are reading a single configuration item; read it individually.

Answer 2

I think first method (A) should be fine, it has lesser code and serves the purpose fine.

Answer 3

If you have site wide stuff that you want access to from "anywhere", another way of doing it may be to put something like:
Kohana::$config->attach(new Kohana_Config_File('global'));
in bootstrap.php. Then create global.php in the application/config directory with something like:
return (array ('MyFirstVar' => 'Is One',
'MySecondVar' => 'Is Two'));
And then when you need it from your code:
Kohana::config ('global.MyFirstVar');
But I suppose all of this comes down to where and how you want to use it.