php - Implementing my own utility functions in Lithium? -

i newbie lithium php , know basics of lithium. want implement own utility functions. have created utilities folder parallel app\controllers. how class looks like:

<?php  namespace app\utilities;  class utilityfunctions {     protected $_items = array(             'a' => 'apple',             'b' => 'ball',             'c' => 'cat'         );      //i _items undefined here, blame poor oop skills.     public function getitem(alphabet) {         return $this->_items[alphabet];     } }  ?> 

i use in controller as:

<?php  namespace app\controllers;  use \app\utilities\utilityfunctions;  class mycontroller extends \lithium\action\controller {     public function index() {         $args = func_get_args();         $item = utilityfunctions::getitem($args[0]);          return compact('item');     } }  ?> 

is right way it? utility class need extend something? or lithium provide other way achieve this?

moreover, not able access protected variable $_items in getitems method. had same thing implemented in controller , worked fine then.

this fine way it. there 2 core lithium classes extend from: \lithium\core\object , \lithium\core\staticobject

i think not necessary use case.

the reason cannot access protected variable because invoking method statically. should rewrite class use static variables , methods. also, assume it's typo creating example stackoverflow, forgot $ alphabet var in getitem method.

<?php  namespace app\utilities;  class utilityfunctions {     protected static $_items = array(         'a' => 'apple',         'b' => 'ball',         'c' => 'cat'     );      public static function getitem($alphabet) {         return static::_items[$alphabet];     } }  ?> 

the other option not change utilityfunctions class, instead instantiate class in controller:

<?php  namespace app\controllers;  use app\utilities\utilityfunctions;  class mycontroller extends \lithium\action\controller {     public function index() {         $args = func_get_args();         $utilities = new utilityfunctions();         $item = $utilities->getitem($args[0]);          return compact('item');     } }  ?> 

for simple case class not need hold state, recommend static methods. take @ php manual little more info on static keyword.

another minor note, not need leading backslash in use statement.