Non blank file input field in Symfony2 form

Question

In my Doctrine entity, which is data_class for my form I have a file property defined like this:

/**
     * Image.
     *
     * @Assert\NotBlank
     * @Assert\File
     * @Assert\Image(minWidth="138", minHeight="96")
     */
    protected $file;

Also, added it to form type with ->add('file', 'file')...

Creating entity works perfect, but the problem is when I use form to update this entity. It asks for file again, since it has @Assert\NotBlank. Since I have other fields in this form, I don't want to reupload image on every update.

When I remove @Assert\NotBlank, everithing works fine, but I want this file field to be mandatory.

Any idea?

Answer 1

You can also use Validation Groups for that. One Validation Group (perhaps default one) will be for create and second for update.

Answer 2

You have two ways out this situation and both rely on Callback validators: (Symfony callback)

Either add boolean named isUpdate to you entity which will not be persisted and will tell validator which operation was attempted. This method is completely described in link above.

Another way to tackle this is to add Callback validator to your Form type directly. Again, some isUpdate flag will be needed but this time within Form type (pass it via constructor):

if ( $this->isUpdate == false ){
    $builder->addValidator(new CallbackValidator(function(FormInterface $form){
        if ( $form['image_file']->getData() == NULL ){
            $form->addError(new FormError('You need to specify image file.'));                  
        }
    }));
}

Maybe there is simplier way to achieve desired validation but I came upon these two few months back.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

I have was in similar situation. I try to edit existing record in database with path to the file. When i edit record i must upload new file, what is not comfortable for users. In my solution i use variable tmp file for file hash and variable file name. All needed operation i made in Action edit class.

Full example action class in bellow link

https://github.com/marekz/php_examples/wiki/Symfony-how-to-edit-attachment-form