how to download file cakephp 2.4 - cakephp

Question

I have 4 different types of file to download image/doc/pdf/xls. I want to download the file once I clicked on file link.
//controller
public function sendFile($id) {
$file = $this->Attachment->getFile($id);
$this->response->file($file['path']);
// Return response object to prevent controller from trying to render
// a view
return $this->response;
}
//view
<?php echo $file->name; ?>

Answer 1

No need to return the response - see this.
Simply use
public function send_file($id = null) {
...
$this->autoRender = false;
$this->response->file($file['path']);
}
In your view you need to link to this controller action, though (if you think about it):
$this->Html->link('Download', array(
'controller' => 'controller_name', 'action' => 'send_file', $id
));
Also note the conventions I corrected for you - the docs tell you that as well.

Answer 2

just to complete and add some notes on Mark's answer
Simply use
public function send_file($file_name = null) {
//local machine to the file
//e.g. c:\wamp\www\project\...
$path_local = 'path to the file'.$file_name;
//live path to the file
//e.g. \var\...
$path_live = 'path to the file'.$file_name;
$this->autoRender = false;
//if you trying to test it from localhost set the localhost path
//other wise live path
$this->response->file($path_live or $path_local, array('download' => true));
}
In your view you need to link to this controller action, though (if you think about it):
$this->Html->link('Download', array(
'controller' => 'controller_name', 'action' => 'send_file', $file_name
));
Also note the conventions I corrected for you - the docs tell you that as well.