Saving data with join table

Need Help
1

I saw several threads here with the same question but no one helped me.
I try to save data in an object with jointable.
First object is a worker
And the worker has many PLZ

$this->belongsToMany('PLZ', [
            'foreignKey' => 'worker_id',
            'targetForeignKey' => 'plz_id',
            'joinTable' => 'workers_plz',
            'dependent' => true
        ]);

There is a table plzTable wich contains plz_id and plz_no

When I try to create a worker, I will search for the plz_id in the plzTable.
This works fine.

But when I try to fill in the plz_id in the worker object, I receive an error.

worker->PLZ->id = $plz->id;

Errormessage:
Attempt to assign property “id” on null

But the worker object is not null and when I check the accessibility the the PLZ is true.
I am really not sure how cakephp saves data in a join table.
Maybe someone can help

2

I recommend to stop using non-conventional naming. This will only get you in trouble, and likely already has.

$this->belongsToMany(‘CamelCaseNaming’, […]

etc

Also, never directly assign the primary keys, never needed in these cases.
Create workers using the documented newEntity() etc.

Or did you want to assign this to a foreign key? $worker->pivot_table->plz_id = .. ?

3

Hi, sorry for not answering that long time.
I changed my code:

$this->belongsToMany('WorkersPlz', [
            'foreignKey' => 'worker_id',
            'targetForeignKey' => 'plz_id',
            'joinTable' => 'workers_plz',
            'dependent' => true
        ]);

I created a new WorkersPlzTable class as well.
But now I get the errormessage:

SQLSTATE[42000]: Syntax error or access violation: 1066 Not unique table/alias: 'WorkersPlz'

and the class looks like this:

class WorkersPlzTable extends Table
{
    /**
     * Initialize method
     *
     * @param array<string, mixed> $config The configuration for the Table.
     * @return void
     */
    public function initialize(array $config): void
    {
        parent::initialize($config);

        $this->setTable('plz');
        $this->setDisplayField('id');
        $this->setPrimaryKey('id');

        $this->belongsToMany('Workers', [
            'foreignKey' => 'plz_id',
            'targetForeignKey' => 'worker_id',
            'joinTable' => 'workers_plz',
        ]);
    }

    /**
     * Default validation rules.
     *
     * @param \Cake\Validation\Validator $validator Validator instance.
     * @return \Cake\Validation\Validator
     */
    public function validationDefault(Validator $validator): Validator
    {
        $validator
            ->integer('plz_no')
            ->requirePresence('plz_no', 'create')
            ->notEmptyString('plz_no');

        $validator
            ->scalar('plz_city')
            ->maxLength('plz_city', 255)
            ->allowEmptyString('plz_city');

        $validator
            ->scalar('land_name')
            ->maxLength('land_name', 255)
            ->allowEmptyString('land_name');

        return $validator;
    }
}

Not sure what is the problem right now

4

Use 'plzs' => [['id' => $plz->id]] when creating or patching the worker. Avoid assigning $worker->PLZ->id directly—it’s null until initialized.