What is Zend Config?

Zend Config is a component to read, write, and merge configuration data from various sources like PHP arrays, INI, JSON, or XML files.

It gives you a structured, object-like interface to access configuration settings.

Key Features

• Supports PHP arrays, .ini, .json, .xml
• Access config like an object ($config->db->host)
• Supports readonly and modifiable modes
• Easily merge multiple configurations

Basic Example (Using PHP Array)

Step 1: Create file in (config/config.php)

<?php
return [
  'name' => 'John',
  'db' => [
    'host' => 'localhost',
    'user' => 'root',
    'password' => 'secret',
  ],
];

Step 2: Load Config in Code (module\Application\src\Controller\MainController.php)

use Laminas\Config\Factory;

class MainController extends AbstractActionController
{
    public function homeAction()
    { 
        $config = Factory::fromFile('config/config.php', true);
        // Access values
        echo $config->name;
        echo $config->db->host;       // localhost
        echo $config->db->user;       // root
        return new ViewModel();
    }
}

Supported File Formats & Demo

1. PHP Config

File: (config/config.php)

<?php
return [
  'name' => 'John',
  'db' => [
    'host' => 'localhost',
    'user' => 'root',
    'password' => 'secret',
  ],
];

2. INI Config

File:(config/config.ini)

name = "John"

[db]
host = "localhost"
user = "root"
pass = "secret"

3. JSON Config

File: (config/config.json)

{
  "name": "John",
  "db": {
    "host": "localhost",
    "user": "root",
    "pass": "secret"
  }
}

4. XML Config

File: (config/config.xml)

<config>
    <name>John</name>
    <db>
        <host>localhost</host>
        <user>root</user>
        <pass>secret</pass>
    </db>
</config>

Merging Multiple Config Files

$config1 = [
  'app' => ['name' => 'MyApp', 'debug' => false]
];
$config2 = [
  'app' => ['debug' => true]
];

use Laminas\Config\Config;

$conf1 = new Config($config1, true);
$conf2 = new Config($config2, true);

$conf1->merge($conf2);
echo $conf1->app->debug; // true

Real-World Usage of Laminas\Config