In the previous entry, we created a new Administration Module to hold blog management functionality, added a Module specific layout for it, and discussed the upcoming need to ensure this is only accessible by authorised Authors. In this entry I'll unravel some of Zend_Form's mysteries in adding a login form, before using Zend_Auth to implement authentication for authors.

He includes the code (controller and view) to add the login form as a part of the Author functionality and, using a few decorators to help him build the form how he likes it, extends the Zend_Form component to make his form with username, password and submit elements. He throws in some validation and a bit of error checking to finish it off.

One point of flexibility [Zend_Form] offers has proved to be a pain point for many developers: decorators. This tutorial aims to shed some light on decorators, as well as provide strategies for creating your own decorators and combining them in creative ways to customize the output your forms generate.

Matthew starts with a little background behind the component to help you find your way around. Building on this, he shows how to use some standard output decorators and how to create decorators of your own. His example shows how to create a set of grouped checkboxes.

The popular open source Zend Framework just got some slick enhancements. Learn what's new in V1.5 and how upgrades, including Zend_Form, Zend_Layout, and Zend_View, enhanced support for GData Web services, and improved Ajax support can help PHP developers easily roll out cutting-edge Web applications.

They walk through each of the new components (or features in them) like Zend_Form and Zend_Layout/Zend_View with examples included. There's also mention of other miscellaneous updates like the addition of OpenID and InfoCard support, a LDAP authentication module and an interface with Google's GData service.

I've been working on for the past few weeks, and it's nearing release readiness. There are a number of features that Cal didn't cover in his DevZone coverage (in part because some of them weren't yet complete) that I'd like to showcase.

These additional features Matthew mentions are:

• Internationalization
• Element Grouping
• Array Support

Check out more of the great features of the component in the Zend Framework documentation.

Zend Framework 1.5's Zend_Form component is missing support for the file input element as it is waiting on a file upload component to build upon. We're busy people, so we'll fake it...

His example gives a screenshot of the end result and includes all of the code needed to make it all work - the form, the custom file form element, a ValidFile validation class to ensure you're getting exactly what you want and the controller to define the form and execute it once the user submits.

Zend Framework 1.5 has now been released to mark the occasion I have significantly updated my Zend Framework Tutorial! The tutorial was first released on 16th August 2006 and was written against version 0.1 of Zend Framework and had one major revision to bring in support for the ViewRenderer component.

The updates include the addition of some of the "goodies" the new release offers - like Zend_Form's additions and Zend_Layout - as well as other smaller features that can make a Zend Framework-er's life easier.

As many know, Zend Framework 1.5.0 is almost ready for release... heck, it might even be released by the time you read this. There are a ton of new features worth looking into, but I'll list some of my own favorites here - the ones I've been either working on or using.

The list of updates for the release includes:

• Zend_Layout and Zend_View enhancements
• Zend_Form
• Zend_Search_Lucene
• Zend_Db_Table Improvements
• Context Switching and REST

If you want to get things prepared on your application, you can always download the latest release candidate (RC 3) of 1.5.0 and get to testing.

During my interneship if been busy with Zend_Form and XML and now I like to share it with you. So here is a very easy, complete example that shows it in action. Let's make a small login form from XML with Zend_Form.

The Zend Framework has the functionality for this already built in - a call to create a Zend_Config_Xml object passing in the XML file's name is all it takes. He includes a sample XML file that shows the setup of the form as well as how to perform some of the validation techniques (like checking length and pattern matching).

I'll be covering the design of Zend_Form, the basic usage and various classes and plugins available, and internationalization of your forms.

You can find out more about the event on its detail page on Zend's site (including an easy link to get you signed up). The webinar will be happening Wednesday March 5th at 9am Pacific Standard.

Following on from the Simple Zend_Layout Example, Zend_Form is now in the trunk, so here's a super simple, complete example that shows it in action.

He includes screenshots of the different steps along the way - the form that will be generated, the structure of the directories and, of course, the contents of the PHP files to make things happen. He also mentions the use of Decorators (the design pattern) to assign the various attributes of the form element object.