For example...
In model Post, I add a scope as follows:
public function scopes()
{
return array(
'stats'=>array(
'select'=>'post_id',
'condition'=>'post_status=1',
'order'=>'post_date DESC',
)
);
}
Then, in my controller where I want to output just this set of data:
public function actionStats()
{
$p = new Post();
$scopes = $p->scopes();
$criteria = $scopes['stats'];
// Note: I could probably just Post::model()->stats() but I haven't
// tested that.
$dataProvider = new CActiveDataProvider( 'Post', array('criteria'=>$criteria));
... business as usual
}
Where previously I was doing something like this to be able to take advantage of the scope:
$dataProvider = new CArrayDataProvider( Post::model()->stats()->findAll() );
While the CArrayDataProvider is an acceptable alternative, I find that it does have some peculiarities when used with a CGridView, which the CActiveDataProvider avoids.
(Note: My scope is actually quite different and more complex, but I thought this made a clearer example).
EDIT:
Apparently, I need to read more about active finders, because you can actually do THIS as well:
$dataProvider = new CActiveDataProvider( Post::model()->stats() );
