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lnkohana/system/guide/kohana/files/classes.md
2013-04-22 14:09:50 +10:00

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# Classes
TODO: Brief intro to classes.
[Models](mvc/models) and [Controllers](mvc/controllers) are classes as well, but are treated slightly differently by Kohana. Read their respective pages to learn more.
## Helper or Library?
Kohana 3 does not differentiate between "helper" classes and "library" classes like in previous versions. They are all placed in the `classes/` folder and follow the same conventions. The distinction is that in general, a "helper" class is used statically, (for examples see the [helpers included in Kohana](helpers)), and library classes are typically instantiated and used as objects (like the [Database query builders](../database/query/builder)). The distinction is not black and white, and is irrelevant anyways, since they are treated the same by Kohana.
## Creating a class
To create a new class, simply place a file in the `classes/` directory at any point in the [Cascading Filesystem](files), that follows the [Class naming conventions](conventions#class-names-and-file-location). For example, lets create a `Foobar` class.
// classes/Foobar.php
class Foobar {
static function magic() {
// Does something
}
}
We can now call `Foobar::magic()` any where and Kohana will [autoload](autoloading) the file for us.
We can also put classes in subdirectories.
// classes/Professor/Baxter.php
class Professor_Baxter {
static function teach() {
// Does something
}
}
We could now call `Professor_Baxter::teach()` any where we want.
For examples of how to create and use classes, simply look at the 'classes' folder in `system` or any module.
## Namespacing your classes
TODO: Discuss namespacing to provide transparent extension functionality in your own classes/modules.