NetBeans IDE and Yii projects

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  1. 1. Code completion
  2. 2. Code templates
  3. 3. Testing
  4. 4. Debugging
  5. Got problems or questions?

This page is created to supply short directions and general tips for managing a Yii application in NetBeans IDE.

1. Code completion

To get context sensitive code completion, follow these steps:

  • If the Yii framework folder is not inside the project folder:
    • Open "File > Project properties > PHP Include Path" and add the Yii framework root path
  • Ignore yiilite.php to avoid doubled/missing documentation
    • Open "Tools > Options > Miscellaneous > Files"
    • Add to the front of "Files Ignored by the IDE" the file "^(yiilite\.php|CVS|SCCS|...."
    • Restart NetBeans
Usage:
  • Typing suggestions: Ctrl-Space
  • Show Function parameters: Ctrl-P
  • Comment your own code with PHPDoc style. Here's a good example.
  • Code completion in view files
    • Add the following PHPDoc statement at the head of the file to use code completion in view files. (you may add additional passed parameters as well)
/* @var $this PostController */
/* @var $model Post */
$this->getSomeProValue(); // possible with code completion
$model->author; // possible with code completion

2. Code templates

You can create code templates for commonly used/overridden function in Yii. For example, if you want to add an beforeSave() function in your model, by typing a shortcut you can automatically have the function template in place. There are additional shortcuts for common stuff like Yii::app(), Yii::t(), Yii::app()->user->checkAccess(), and more!

  • Download this template set to get started: http://fbe.am/hly (version 2). View all available commands in this printable cheat sheet.
  • Go to "Tools > Options > Editor > Code Templates"
  • Hit "Import", select the file, and choose "Code Templates"
    • You might get an error message "invalid zip file" if you are importing to a older/newer version of NetBeans. Open up the zip file, edit build.info, and set the correct path to Userdir.
Usage:
  • Type the shortcut and hit TAB
  • More info: NetBeans Docs
  • Example:
// typing: ybeforesave + TAB
// expands to:

/**
 * This method is invoked before saving a record (after validation, if any).
 * @return boolean whether the saving should be executed. Defaults to true.
 */
protected function beforeSave()
{
	
	return parent::beforeSave();
}

3. Testing

To run functional tests and unit tests in Yii, recommended is installing PHPUnit and SeleniumRC.

  • Install PHPUnit
    • Follow the official installation instructions.
    • Open "Tools > Options > PHP > Frameworks & Tools -> PHPUnit" and set the correct path to the launch script. This is phpunit.bat in Windows and usually /usr/bin/phpunit in Linux.
  • Install SeleniumRC with one of these two methods:
    • Through NetBeans plugins (may be outdated):
    • Through the Selenium website:
  • Configure project options
    • Open "File > Project properties > Testing":
      • Add folder [PROJECT ROOT]/protected/tests
      • Enable testing provider "PHPUnit"
    • Open "File > Project properties > Testing > PHPUnit":
      • Set "Use Bootstrap" to [PROJECT ROOT]/protected/tests/bootstrap.php
      • Set "Use XML Configuration" to [PROJECT ROOT]/protected/tests/phpunit.xml
Usage:
  • Test whole project: Alt+F6
  • Test single file: Shift-F6
  • Check code coverage (right click project > Code Coverage)

4. Debugging

  • Install Xdebug (usually already available in your installation):
  • Include the Xdebug extension for PHP:
    • In php.ini enable (by removing ; prefix) these settings:
      zend_extension = "C:\xampp\php\ext\php_xdebug.dll"
         xdebug.remote_enable = 1
         xdebug.remote_handler = "dbgp"
         xdebug.remote_host = "localhost"
         xdebug.remote_port = 9000
Usage:
  • Debug project: Ctrl-F5
  • Use breakpoints, walk through running code, and watch variables and objects in real-time. :)
  • If you want to stop the debugger from pausing on the first line for every request, simply turn that "feature" off by clicking: Tools > Options > PHP > Debugging > Stop at First Line (uncheck)
5. Navigation, wizards, additional code completion

Install a special Yii plugin.

Got problems or questions?

Do NOT post a comment on this wiki page, but go to the forums: http://www.yiiframework.com/forum/index.php?/topic/11735-netbeans-ide-and-test-driven-development/

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Category: Tutorials
Written by: marcovtwout
Last updated by: marcovtwout
Created on: Sep 21, 2010
Last updated: 9 years ago
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