Convenient $html->link()

I made this quick helper that extends Html Helper. While creating my very first plugin for cakephp 1.2, I decided to use Route so that I can save some space and time typing long controller names. Here is the sample code in my views:

echo $html->link( 'Link Test', 
                  array( 
                    'controller' => 'long_controller_name', 
                    'actions' => 'index', 
                    'plugin' => 'long_plugin_name' 
                  ) 
                );

I am a lazy typist and so I wanted to be able to use shortcut names for the array keys such as the following:

c = controller
a = action
p = plugin

OR use numbers

0 = controller
1 = action
2 = plugin

I couldn’t find in the bakery any solution so I decided to create my own Html helper. Here is how you can install it:

First, add this file to your helpers folder located in

/cakedir/app/views/helpers/

Download XHTML Helper

Then, in your controller file, include the Xhtml to your helpers list. Example

class MyController extends AppController {
  ...
  var $helpers = array( 'Xhtml' );
  ...
}

That’s it. You can use it by doing the following:

echo $xhtml->link( 'Link Test', 
                    array( 
                        'c' => 'long_controller_name', 
                        'a' => 'index', 
                        'p' => 'long_plugin_name' 
                    ) 
                 );

echo $xhtml->link( 'Link Test', 
                    array( 'long_controller_name', 
	                       'index', 
	                       'long_plugin_name' 
	                ) 
                 );