HowTo: display custom error message when unique index fails on object save

Question

I have added an index on a table just to ensure that a set of fields together form a composite unique key (Is this approach correct? or is there a better option with Doctrine?)

After having done that, when I try to save an object and the unique constraint fails, a SQL exception is generated. What is the best way to handle this? and to display a custom error message?

My homework

1. Check the exception code coming from MySQL & handle it. But if there are multiple such constraints we won't be able to nail down on the exact one

2. Add a postValidator on the schema, and write the logic in there

Is there a third/better way?

Thanks

Answer 1

try {

    $model->save();

// maybe be more precise to catch only that special exception you described
} catch (Doctrine_Exception $e) { 

   $e->setMessage('my error message');
   throw $e;
}

alternatively you could use doctrine's build-in validation...