DataObject

Introduction

The [api:DataObject] class represents a single row in a database table, following the "Active Record" design pattern.

Defining Properties

Properties defined through DataObject::$db map to table columns, and can be declared as different data-types.

Loading and Saving Records

The basic principles around data persistence and querying for objects is explained in the "datamodel" topic.

Defining Form Fields

In addition to defining how data is persisted, the class can also help with editing it by providing form fields through DataObject->getCMSFields(). The resulting [api:FieldList] is the centrepiece of many data administration interfaces in SilverStripe. Many customizations of the SilverStripe CMS interface start here, by adding, removing or configuring fields.

Example getCMSFields implementation

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
	$db = array(
		'IsActive' => 'Boolean'
	);
  public function getCMSFields() {
    return new FieldSet(
    	new CheckboxField('IsActive')
    );
  }
}

There's various form field types, for editing text, dates, restricting input to numbers, and much more.

Scaffolding Form Fields

The ORM already has a lot of information about the data represented by a DataObject through its $db property, so why not use it to create form fields as well? If you call the parent implementation, the class will use [api:FormScaffolder] to provide reasonable defaults based on the property type (e.g. a checkbox field for booleans). You can then further customize those fields as required.

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
	// ...
  public function getCMSFields() {
    $fields = parent::getCMSFields();
    $fields->fieldByName('IsActive')->setTitle('Is active?');
    return $fields;
  }
}

The [ModelAdmin](/reference/modeladmin) class uses this approach to provide data management interfaces with very little custom coding.

You can also alter the fields of built-in and module DataObject classes through your own [DataExtension](/reference/dataextension), and a call to [api:DataExtension->updateCMSFields()].

Searchable Fields

The $searchable_fields property uses a mixed array format that can be used to further customize your generated admin system. The default is a set of array values listing the fields.

Example: Getting predefined searchable fields

:::php
$fields = singleton('MyDataObject')->searchableFields();

Example: Simple Definition

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
   static $searchable_fields = array(
      'Name',
      'ProductCode'
   );
}

Searchable fields will be appear in the search interface with a default form field (usually a [api:TextField]) and a default search filter assigned (usually an [api:ExactMatchFilter]). To override these defaults, you can specify additional information on $searchable_fields:

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
   static $searchable_fields = array(
       'Name' => 'PartialMatchFilter',
       'ProductCode' => 'NumericField'
   );
}

If you assign a single string value, you can set it to be either a [api:FormField] or [api:SearchFilter]. To specify both, you can assign an array:

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
   static $searchable_fields = array(
       'Name' => array(
          'field' => 'TextField',
          'filter' => 'PartialMatchFilter',
       ),
       'ProductCode' => array(
           'title' => 'Product code #',
           'field' => 'NumericField',
           'filter' => 'PartialMatchFilter',
       ),
   );
}

To include relations (''$has_one'', $has_many and $many_many) in your search, you can use a dot-notation.

:::php
class Team extends DataObject {
  static $db = array(
    'Title' => 'Varchar'
  );
  static $many_many = array(
    'Players' => 'Player'
  );
  static $searchable_fields = array(
      'Title',
      'Players.Name',
   );
}
class Player extends DataObject {
  static $db = array(
    'Name' => 'Varchar',
    'Birthday' => 'Date'
  );
  static $belongs_many_many = array(
    'Teams' => 'Team'
  );
}

Summary Fields

Summary fields can be used to show a quick overview of the data for a specific [api:DataObject] record. Most common use is their display as table columns, e.g. in the search results of a [api:ModelAdmin] CMS interface.

Example: Getting predefined summary fields

:::php
$fields = singleton('MyDataObject')->summaryFields();

Example: Simple Definition

:::php
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
  static $db = array(
    'Name' => 'Text',
    'OtherProperty' => 'Text',
    'ProductCode' => 'Int',
  ); 
  static $summary_fields = array(
      'Name',
      'ProductCode'
   );
}

To include relations in your summaries, you can use a dot-notation.

:::php
class OtherObject extends DataObject {
  static $db = array(
    'Title' => 'Varchar'
  );
}
class MyDataObject extends DataObject {
  static $db = array(
    'Name' => 'Text'
  );
  static $has_one = array(
    'OtherObject' => 'OtherObject'
  );
   static $summary_fields = array(
      'Name',
      'OtherObject.Title'
   );
}

API Documentation

[api:DataObject]

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