Understanding Zend Framework’s Plugin Parts 1 & 2

I was rummaging through the web today when I came across a very interesting series of articles about plugins in Zend Framework. I teach a Zend Framework class for php|architect and invariables, the plugins are the hardest thing for people to grasp. Not using them, that’s actually very easy. Most people quickly see that there are things they want to put in a plugin of their own. Figuring out how to do that and the best strategy for where to put them is what always trips people up. This article series starts where the Zend Framework Quick Start Guide leaves off.

Understanding Zend Framework’s Plugin: Front Controller Plugin, Controller Action Helper, View Helper, Resource Plugin…(Part One)

Understanding Zend Framework’s Plugin: Controller Action Helper Plugin, and View Helper…(Part Two)

Here’s a quick quote to get you started.

Usually, after getting the basics of Zend framework; that is: setting up your projects, using the Zend_Tool, using controllers and views etc, more often than not, the next points of confusion for the new user usually stems from having to grapple with the various minor concepts within Zend framework.

An example of these concepts is the idea of Plugins. Plugins by itself is a simple concept right? But within Zend Framework, there are so many variant of plugins that it could quickly get perplexing to a new user.

Zend Framework’s plugin structure is a powerful tool that every developer should be using; both the built-in plugins and the ability to write your own re-suable code. These articles should help you get up and running with them.