Swaiba - Finally getting around to this again. I just wanted to wanted to share a bit a code with you before I test it. For just setting up the ability to associate testimonial categories with a page, does this seem right:

change this:

<?php
class Category extends DataObject {
static $db = array(
'Title' => 'Text'
);

static $belongs_many_many = array(
'Testimonials' => 'Testimonial',
);

}
?>

to

<?php
class Category extends DataObject {
static $db = array(
'Title' => 'Text'
);

static $belongs_many_many = array(
'Testimonials' => 'Testimonial',
'Pages' => 'Page'
);

}
?>

AND

add to Page.php this:

static $many_many = array(
'Categories' => 'Category'
);

and this:

function getCMSFields() {
$fields = parent::getCMSFields();
$dos = DataObject::get('Category');
$map = $dos ? $map = $dos->toDropdownMap() : array();
$msf = new MultiSelectField("Categories",'Testimonial Categories', $map);
$fields->addFieldToTab('Root.Content.TestimonialCategories', $msf);

return $fields;
}

Thanks for taking a look at this!

Swaiba- Here are my ideas for outputting a single random testimonial. I think I'm fuzzier on this part.

In page.php add this to the page controller:

public function getTestimonials() {
return DataObject::get("Testimonial", "TestimonialCategories", "RAND()", null, "1");
}

Looking at the documentation here is what each piece stands for:
DataObject::get($obj, $filter, $sort, $join, $limit);

I think I have the last 3 right. And maybe the 1st two are correct because we are filtering the testimonial object based on the testimonial categories assocaited with the page?

Then for my template page.ss:

<% if TestimonialCategories %>
<% control getTestimonials %>
<div class="one-testimonial">
$Quote<br />
$Signature
</div>
<% end_control %>
<% else %>

<% end_if %>

... But do I need the control loop? I'm guessing if I display a random one on page load, then I don't. If I'm rotating through random testimonials while you are still on the page then I'm guessing I do. Of course this will also require a bit a javascript. Otherwise I will end up with a list of random testimonials?

Any feedback would be great! Just wanted to run this by you before altering my database/code.

The $filter needs to be a MySQL where-clause so I don't think that part is going to work. The last three look fine, however if you just want one you can use DataObject::get_one() instead and you'll get just one Testimonial back. If you want the $filter to work you're probably going to have to join some tables to get the data.

Smurkas - Thanks for your input! I may just do the random portion at the jquery level. Because I think the desired output is to have the testimonials rotate while you are on the page.

I don't know if you've read the entire thread, but does the code I've outlined seem right and could the function then be simplified to something like this?

public function getTestimonials() {
return DataObject::get("Testimonial", "TestimonialCategories");
}

With the control loop in the template I'll then get all of the relevant testimonials. And will then use jquery to fade in and out random testimonials.

Thanks for your help!

Ok, I have started testing my code. The first issue: On a page that uses the page template it shows the Testimonial Groups tab (in the admin). It then only shows the left side of the multi-select box. I'm able to select something and it looks like it stays selected but there is no right side to add it to.

The code I added to create the multi-select in page.php:

function getCMSFields() {
$fields = parent::getCMSFields();
$dos = DataObject::get('Category');
$map = $dos ? $map = $dos->toDropdownMap() : array();
$msf = new MultiSelectField("Categories",'Testimonial Groups', $map);
$fields->addFieldToTab('Root.Content.TestimonialGroups', $msf);

return $fields;
}

Any suggestions would be great. Thank you!

Ok, so it looks like not having the right side of the multiselect is not an issue. I can still select multiple categories and they are retained after I save. I can also put $Categories in my template file and it will print out the two selected categories.

So now I'm not sure how to print out the testimonials associated with the categories associated with the page. Like Smurkas said, I think I need a way to join to two tables. Any hints on how to do this would be great. :)

This gives me all the testimonials:

public function getTestimonials() {
return DataObject::get("Testimonial");
}

Something like this gives me an error:

public function getTestimonials() {
return DataObject::get("Testimonial","Categories");
}

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

Well actually you can print that directly in the template.

In the control that's printing the categories you can put another control for the testimonials.
So something like

<% control Categories %>
<!-- Print stuff from categories here -->
<% control Testimonials %>
<!-- Print stuff from testimonials here -->
<% end_control %>
<% end_control %>

Excellent! Thank you!

... but this only outputs testimonials from the first category. And I can see by using $categories that this page does indeed have two categories linked to it.

any advice would great! in the mean time, I am going to see if I can't figure out why this happens.

Thanks!