title: Yii, set model value without using a hidden field
body: <p>I want to set the value of field in my model.  The field (source) is in the database but it doesn't have a field on the form to capture the data.  I want to set the value the field without creating a hidden form field.  Is that possible?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks! </p>
  
  <pre><code>//in controller
  public function actionTest()
                  {
          $model=new TestForm();
          $src = 'hello';  
          $model-&gt;source($src);
          echo $model-&gt;source; // hello
          $this-&gt;render('_form',array('model'=&gt;$model));    
                  }  
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The form is then submitted and of course $source is not in the _POST because there is no field to capture $source</p>
  
  <p>However I have set the value of $model->source but this value doesn't seem to persist because it is not saved in the database.</p>
  
  <p>The only way to solve this i have found is to use a hidden field and pass in the value of $source to the form.</p>
  
  <p>Is there a way to set $model->source and for this value to go in the database without going via the form?</p>