Tag: WTF

How to use Raw SQL Queries in Symfony 2

hashtag-doctrine-dogSometimes, usually when you first start with Symfony 2 (but there are other times too), you just want to get access to good old raw SQL.

I have experimented with a few different ways, and – as with many Symfony issues – the documentation is either shonky, or worst, so cryptic it requires a Mensa-like IQ level to decode just WTF these guys are talking about.

Now, if you are new to Symfony 2, before you go about using raw SQL for everything, do yourself a favour and make sure you learn Doctrine.

And then only if you absolutely must go native SQL, then use the following:

    public function foobar($foobar)
    {
      $stmt = $this->getEntityManager()
                   ->getConnection()
                   ->prepare('SELECT COUNT(id) AS num, foo FROM bar WHERE foobar = :foobar GROUP BY foo');
      $stmt->bindValue('foobar', $foobar);
      $stmt->execute();
      return $stmt->fetchAll();
    }

I love this, and I have used it with great success!, but the credit is not mine, it belongs to a user called althaus on the old symfony forums.