Zend Framework Advice - Storage of Array of Preferences / Information

big_nerd

Hello All,

I need some advice, I am pretty new to MVC programming & Zend Framework.

I am intending on storing some information on the user which relates to access rights throughout the site.

I have the data stored in the database, this data is unique for each user, as it is based on their specific user id.

Should I:

1) Cache the query saved under {user_id}Preferences (i.e. 2744Preferences) and pull the data this way, so that it is only pulled once per 24hour period - and if changes are made on the admin side, automatically remove the cache.

2) Use session data to preserve the information

Security is a small focus, but if a would-be hacker/script kid were to modify the variables in some fashion no information would be granted that is harmful in any way.

Any advise would be nice!

Weedpacket

You're having to look at the user database at the start of each user session anyway, so what would caching save?

big_nerd

The idea is the dependant on what page they access, the information can change.

Qualifiers include country or origin, customer type, products carried, etc.

Since not all areas of the site will change dependent on information - and even the areas of the site that do depend on it may not always depend on it.

In sum - some of the information will be protected some of the time, but not always.

Since there may be multiple requests for the information throughout the time the visitor is on the site, I was thinking I had to store the information so that I am not hitting the database every time.

I was thinking of caching so that while they are on the site, unless I specifically change their information (which I would clear the cache if I did) nothing will change within that visit.

This is why I was wondering if it would be more efficient to cache the query results, so that I can request what country, or what type of customer or whatever throughout the site where required. or is it better to save the data as a session, and pull it that way, when requesting.

Does that make sense?