How to get database field values from extbase action? - database

Question

now that I managed to get random AJAX output, I want to get some useful values from the database as the next step.
Once again, my AJAX call looks like this (additionally, I added a JSON call, which would be even better).
$.ajax({
url: "index.php",
data: "tx_myext_myplugin1[controller]=Mycontroller1&tx_myext_myplugin1[action]=ajax&type=89657201",
success: function(result) {
alert(result);
}
});
/*
var uri = '<f:uri.action action="ajax" controller="Mycontroller1" pageType="89657201" />';
jQuery.getJSON(uri, function(result) {
alert(result.c);
});
*/
my ajaxAction function:
public function ajaxAction() {
$arr = array ('a'=>1,'b'=>2,'c'=>3,'d'=>4,'e'=>5);
return json_encode($arr);
}
This works when I use the JSON call, now I need to get an array with database values though. I thought calling the repository with a findAll() function would already help, but it's not an array I think, which is why I can't use it. A different idea would be to use the getValue methods I wrote in the Model, but I'm not sure if this would help.

Answer 1

Disclaimer: Generally using findAll() method can be real performance killer therefore try to write custom finders, selecting only required properties, especcialy if your model is big or contains many relations!
You are close enough, as you can send findAll() result with json_encode(), but be careful, depending on your model, json created from findAll can be really huge. It's better idea to iterate results and rewrite to new array only required values.
$dataFromRepo = $this->yourRepository->findAll();
$resultArray = array();
foreach ($dataFromRepo as $object){
$resultArray[$object->getUid()] = $object->getTitle();
}
return json_encode($resultArray);
in result you'll get basic JSON object:
{
"1": "Title of first item",
"2": "Second item",
"3": "Et cetera"
}
When you'll remove custom index from $resultArray
foreach ($dataFromRepo as $object){
$resultArray[] = $object->getTitle();
}
you will get JSON array
[
"Title of first item",
"Second item",
"Et cetera"
]
And so on. Of course you can also build this way multidimensional array and send more sophisticated objects to get all you need at once.
P.S. Try always to use for an example JsonLint - online validator to validate if the output you're expecting is valid.