How to change the sequence of 'joins' in CakePHP?

Question

I have the problem with the sequence of joins. The similar problem was in another question Manipulating Order of JOINS in CakePHP. The answer was to use Containable behavior

Answer 1

To those who has similar problems but in relations a-la $belongsTo, to have correct order you should set it correctly.

For example when you have such code:

var $belongsTo = array(
    'Vacancy',
    'Applicant' => array(
        'className' => 'Person',
    ),
    'Recruiter' => array(
        'className' => 'Person',
    ),
    'Company' => array(
        'conditions' => array('Company.id = Vacancy.company_id'),
    ),
);

But in the result always receive results where Vacancy always joins last, you should do juts simple thing: add those "Vacancy" model not as array value, but as a key=>value, as others:

var $belongsTo = array(
    'Vacancy' => array(), // Just add empty array here -- all magic is here :)
    'Applicant' => array(
        'className' => 'Person',
    ),
    'Recruiter' => array(
        'className' => 'Person',
    ),
    'Company' => array(
        'conditions' => array('Company.id = Vacancy.company_id'),
    ),
);

Now all will be in straight order: Vacancy, Applicant, Recruiter & only then Company.