How to save HABTM association in CakePhp? - cakephp

Question

I have a Product model and an Image model. They have an HABTM association.
Some Images exist but they are not linked to the product.
Now when I save a Product I would like to link it to some unlinked images using an array of images IDs (I MUST use this array).
Here's my code:
class Image extends AppModel {
public $useTable = 'images';
var $hasAndBelongToMany = array(
'Product' => array(
'className' => 'Product',
'joinTable' => 'products_images',
'foreignKey' => 'id_image',
'associationForeignKey' => 'id_product'
)
);
}
class Product extends AppModel {
public $useTable = 'products';
var $hasAndBelongToMany = array(
'Image' => array(
'className' => 'Image',
'joinTable' => 'products_images',
'foreignKey' => 'id_product',
'associationForeignKey' => 'id_image'
)
);
}
class productsController extends AppController {
public $name = 'Products';
public $uses = array('Products', 'File');
public function add() {
if (!empty($this->data)) {
$this->Product->create();
if ($this->AnnuncioImmobiliare->save($this->request->data)) {
$idProduct = $this->Product->getLastInsertID();
$this->request->data['imagesIds'] = array("1", "2", "3");
if(isset($this->request->data['imagesIds'])){
foreach($this->request->data['imagesIds'] as $imageId){
$this->Image->id = $imageId;
$this->Image->save(array('Product'=>array('id'=>$idProduct)));
}
}
}
}
}
}
This doesn't work. Where am I wrong?

Answer 1

1) you didn't provide the data, so we can't verify it's in the correct format.
2) you're using "save()" not "saveAll()" or "saveMany()" or "saveAssociated()". Just using "save()" will not save any associated model data.

Answer 2

I found a solution myself!
I observed how CakePHP handles $this->data->response array when data is passed using an input automagically created for HABTM associations and I found the array should be formatted like this:
array(
'Product' => array(
'name' => 'myProduct',
'id' => ''
),
'Image' => array(
'Image'=>array(
0 => '1',
1 => '2',
2 => '3'
)
)
)
So the correct code for the controller is
class productsController extends AppController {
public $name = 'Products';
public $uses = array('Products', 'File');
public function add() {
if (!empty($this->data)) {
$this->Product->create();
if (isset($this->request->data['imagesIds'])) {
$this->request->data['Image'] = array('Image' => $this->request->data['imagesIds']);
}
if ($this->AnnuncioImmobiliare->save($this->request->data)) {
/* success */
}
}
}
}
That's it! I hope you find this useful.