How to avoid errors in saving data - Cakephp

Question

I'm using Cakephp and trying to put in a method to make sure our reservation system doesn't let two users book the same appointment. Ex. User 1 opens the appointment, and User 2 opens it simultaneously. User 1 books the appointment. User 2 tries to book it but the system checks and sees it is no longer available.

I imagine this would take place in validation, or in a beforeSave(), but can't figure out how to do it.

Right now I made a function in the model to call from the controller. In the controller I have:

if ($this->Timeslot->checkIfNotAvailable()) {
$this->Session->setFlash('This timeslot is no longer available');
$this->redirect(array('controller' => 'users', 'action' => 'partner_homepage')); 
}

and in the model I have this function:

function checkIfNotAvailable($data) {
    $this->recursive = -1;
    $timeslot = $this->find('all', array(
        'conditions' => array(
            'Timeslot.id' => $this->data['Timeslot']['id'])
        )
    );
    if ($timeslot['student_id'] == 0) {
        //They can reserve it, do not spring a flag
        return false;
    } else {
        //Throw a flag!
        return true;
    }
}

I think I'm mixed up using custom validation when it's not called for. And it's not working obviously. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

stevecomrie · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-04 00:07:41Z

1

If what you have is working, you can stick with it, you could also try creating a beforeValidate() call back function in your Model.

class YourModel extends AppModel {
   function beforeValidate(){
      if( !$this->checkIfNotAvailable( $this->data ) ) {
         unset($this->data['YourModel']['time_slot']);
      }
      return true; //this is required, otherwise validation will always fail
   }
}

This way you remove the time_slot before it goes to validation and it will drop a validation error at that point, kicking the user back to the edit page and getting them to pick a different time slot, ideally the updated data entry page will no longer have the used time slot available.

answered May 4, 2011 at 0:07

stevecomrie

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3 Comments

tnichols Over a year ago

Hi Steve, thanks for the suggestion. My way isn't working right now...do you see any errors in what I'm doing with that method?

stevecomrie Over a year ago

Your attempt is probably failing because you're using a find('all') which will return an entire array of records, this making it impossible to test $timeslot['student_id']. Try switching it to a find('first') and you might be OK.

tnichols Over a year ago

OK...thanks steve, got it to work both ways. The find('all') was one problem, and also I needed to send $this->data when I called "checkIfNotAvailable". Thanks for your help!

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