How to set custom input data in Model

Question

I'm using JTable for CRUD on my application. I've created method in model to save data in database

I need to add custom inputs "created" and "created_by" as shown in "$custom_data" variable and save it in database. Please note that, $form_data is getting saved successfully.

public function create() {
        $table = $this->getTable();
        $jinput = JFactory::getApplication()->input->post;
        $form_data = $jinput->get('jform', array(), 'array');
        $custom_data = array(
            'created'       => JFactory::getDate()->toSql(),
            'created_by'    => JFactory::getUser()->id
        );

        if (!$table->save($form_data)) {
            JError::raiseNotice(500, $table->getError());
            return FALSE;
        }

        return $form_data;
    }

Answer 1

You asked for another method, here it is :-)

The best place for such operations IMHO is the bind method of the JTable class. Below is an example how to override this method in your JTable class.

public function bind($src, $ignore = array())
{
    // Call parent's bind method
    if (parent::bind($src, $ignore))
    {
        // Do the following only when it's a new item ($this->id is 0 then)
        if (!$this->id)
        {
            $this->created = JFactory::getDate()->toSql();
            $this->created_by = JFactory::getUser()->id;
        }
    }
    return true;
}

You don't need these lines anymore then:

$custom_data = array(
    'created' => JFactory::getDate()->toSql(),
    'created_by' => JFactory::getUser()->id
);
$data += $custom_data;

You are calling $table->save() in your model and this method will automatically call the bind() method for you.

Answer 2

I was able to solve this issue with following:

just added $data = $form_data + $custom_data; Any other recommended method is appreciable.

public function create() {
        $table = $this->getTable();
        $jinput = JFactory::getApplication()->input->post;
        $data = $jinput->get('jform', array(), 'array');
        $custom_data = array(
            'created' => JFactory::getDate()->toSql(),
            'created_by' => JFactory::getUser()->id
        );
        $data += $custom_data;
        try {
            $table->save($data);
        } catch (Exception $ex) {
            if ($ex->getCode() == '404') {
                throw new Exception($e->getMessage(), 404);
            } else {
                JFactory::getApplication()->enqueueMessage(JText::_('COM_HELPDESK_ERROR_OCCURRED'), 'error');
            }
        }

        $id = array(
            'id' => $table->id
        );

        $data += $id;

        return $data;
    }