Zend Framework - Set No Layout for Controller

Question

I have a Controller that I want to use for ajax scripts to call and set session variables, get information, etc. How do I set it so that that particular controller doesn't use the default layout (specifically NO layout) so that it can send XML/JSON messages back and forth? I have an inkling I should use a custom route but I do not know much about them

Answer 1

In your controller action, try

$this->_helper->layout->disableLayout();

Answer 2

Like anything to do with Zend_Framework and Zend_Application, there are multiple ways to do this, but on the last few pure Zend gigs I've done, I've seen people using the following (from an action method in you controller)

$this->_helper->layout()->disableLayout();

This shuts off of the layout. If you wanted to turn off your view as well, you could use

$this->_helper->viewRenderer->setNoRender(true);

again, from an action method in the controller.