SilverStripe core uses Zend for some parts - Zend_Log, Zend_Cache and Zend_Date are the 3 places I remember. Zend is really nice to include as it is quite abstracted. Ideally what you want is to not autoload it, but to require it (using the standard php require()).

If this is for your own site the common pattern for include thirdparty libraries is to make a mysite/thirdparty/ folder. Add a blank '_manifest_include' file to that folder. Then in your SilverStripe code when you require Zend simply add require_once('../mysite/thirdparty/Zend/somefile.php');

Hi,

Where Do I see an example?

Why is it a bad idea to autoload a thirdparty framework?

Because you want to avoid possible conflicts with autoload.

And what does a blank '_manifest_include' actually do?

Nothing. I'm sure Willr meant "_manifest_exclude". Such file will exclude the folder from the manifest.

Where Do I see an example?

require_once 'Zend/Log.php';
public static $logger_class = 'SS_ZendLog';
self::$logger = new self::$logger_class;

Where is?

require_once 'Zend/Log.php';
public static $logger_class = 'SS_ZendLog';
self::$logger = new self::$logger_class;