php - Is a good idea have a BaseController and make all controllers extend that class?

Question

I need some common behaviors in all controllers. Is a good idea have a BaseController and make all controllers extend that class? If so, What is the correct way to avoid the Fatal error: Class 'BaseController' not found error.

Answer 1

It's certainly a common approach.

But an article by ZF project lead Matthew Weier O'Phinney explains how action-helpers can provide the same benefits with more flexibility.

In particular, a common base controller often becomes a dumping ground for functionality that is used in multiple-but-not-all controllers, so it become overkill. Action-helpers are kind of a lazy-load alternative, invoking functionality precisely when and where you need it.

Also, the action-helper dispatch hooks - init(), preDispatch() and postDispatch() - allow you to automate plugin-like functionality on a per-controller basis.

I'd go action-helpers. But as with most things, YMMV. ;-)