Sending variables to the layout in Zend Framework

Question

In my project I have a number of dynamic elements that are consistently on every page. I have put these in my layout.phtml

My question is: How can I send variables into my layout from my controllers?

If I want to send things from my controller I can use:

$this->view->whatever = "foo";

And receive it in the view with

echo $this->whatever;

I cannot figure out how to do the same with my layout. Perhaps there is a better way around the problem?

Answer 1

The layout is a view, so the method for assigning variables is the same. In your example, if you were to echo $this->whatever in your layout, you should see the same output.

One common problem is how to assign variables that you use on every page to your layout, as you wouldn't want to have to duplicate the code in every controller action. One solution to this is to create a plugin that assigns this data before the layout is rendered. E.g.:

<?php

class My_Layout_Plugin extends Zend_Controller_Plugin_Abstract
{
   public function preDispatch(Zend_Controller_Request_Abstract $request)
   {
      $layout = Zend_Layout::getMvcInstance();
      $view = $layout->getView();

      $view->whatever = 'foo';
   }
}

then register this plugin with the front controller, e.g.

Zend_Controller_Front::getInstance()->registerPlugin(new My_Layout_Plugin());