Populating a template with data from the database

[karll]

I have an add-on with a template that is calling on PHP code. The PHP code fetches some data out of the database and returns this back in an array of a certain format, which the template is using to populate itself. (Well, something like that )

What are the requirements on the PHP side of things to make this work? I.e. what kind of directory structure do I need? Any classes I need to extend?

Also, I was hoping to do this "properly" in terms of MVC considerations ...

(Background: I have a free add-on which appears to be unsupported, and want to make it work on XF1.2. I'm also hoping to learn something from the exercise.)

 

[Jeremy]

How are you calling the PHP code? Is there an add-on which fetches data and calls the proper template rendering classes?

 

[karll]

How are you calling the PHP code?

Looks like it's called by the xen tags in the template? I see lots of xen tags like:
<xen:if is="{PHP expression here ...}">
and also
<xen:foreach loop="$add-on_name" value="$class_name" i="$limit">
etc.

Can't say I understand all of it - is there documentation handy anywhere that explains the various xen tags?

Is there an add-on which fetches data and calls the proper template rendering classes?

I think so. The fetching of data definitely works. There is a call to the responseView function (inherited from Xenforo_Controller?) somewhere in the code, which I'm guessing will render the populated template?

 

[karll]

Can't say I understand all of it - is there documentation handy anywhere that explains the various xen tags?

Ah yes: Template Syntax: XenForo Tags

 

[Marcus]

You just need <xen:
If
Foreach
Callback (maybe, i never used it)

 

[AndyB]

You might like to use a xen:callback instead.

http://xenforo.com/community/resources/xen-callback-tag.2027/

The php file can get the data from the database directly using simple queries.