How to access non-child models from other controller in CakePHP?

Question

I'm having trouble finding information about how to use a model that doesn't belong to the current controller.

For example: I have an ajax controller that sends only JSON data to application. This controller needs to access different models depending on request.

How do I do this?

Answer 1

Check out the Manual section titled $components, $helpers and $uses, you are looking for $uses:

<?php
class RecipesController extends AppController {
var $name = 'Recipes';
var $uses = array('Recipe', 'User'); // both models will be available
var $helpers = array('Ajax');
var $components = array('Email');
}
?>

Answer 2

$uses causes performance hit. Better way is:

$User = ClassRegistry::init('User');
$User->find(...);

Answer 3

If the Recipe and User models are related you could do something like:

$this->Recipe->User->find(....);