Getting domain variables on layout - layout

Question

What is the best way to pass the model variables to layout in Grails? Specifically, I'm using Spring security plugin which has User class. I also have Contact class that looks like this:
class Contact {
String realname
String company
String mobile
String fix
String email
User user
...
What are the options for getting the currently logged in person's company in my layout (main.gsp)?

Answer 1

To add to the above answer, you could alternatively set a session variable for the user when you login in whatever controller method gets called.
You can also just set a session variable for the company in the controller method:
session.company = Contact.findByUser(session.user)?.company
or from the example above
session.company = Contact.findByUser(SecurityContextHolder.context.authentication?.principal)?.company
And in your main.gsp, something like:
<span id="companyName">${session.company}</span>

Answer 2

Do you mean that you need to pass this model for every page, automatically, instead of manual passing it at render at each of controllers? You can use filters there:
def filters = {
all(controller: '*', action: '*') {
before = {
request.setAttribute('loggedInPerson', SecurityContextHolder.context.authentication?.principal)
//Notice, that there is used original Authentication, from Spring Security
//If you need you can load your Contact object there, or something
}
after = {
}
afterView = {
}
}
}
and use loggedInPerson at your gsp:
Hello ${loggedInPerson.username}!
Btw, there is also Spring Security tags, that can help you without using your own filter, like:
Hello <sec:loggedInUserInfo field="username"/>!

Answer 3

If you want to add a certain object to the model, you can also use the "interceptors" provided by grails. To add a certain variable to a particular controller, you can use something like this.
def afterInterceptor = {model, modelAndView->
model.loggedInUser = getLoggedInUser() // retrieve your user details here
}
And you can retrieve loggedInUser in the main.gsp layout as ${loggedInUser}.
If you need to get these details in multiple controllers, you can create a BaseController and keep the afterInterceptor in this BaseController. All controllers which need the reference to the logged in user in their corresponding views should extend the BaseController.