Question: I have been having a problem lately with my CakePHP models. The capitalization of the first letter of the model name keep changing. For example

```
$brands = $this->brand->findAllByCompanyId($company);
$list = array();
foreach ($brands as &$brand) {
    $list[] = array(
        'name' => $brand['brand']['name'],
        'id'   => $brand['brand']['id']
    );
}

```

For some reason, the key names would change to

```
$brand['Brand']['name']
$brand['Brand']['id']

```

Notice the change in the capitalization in the word "Brand." Does anyone have an idea why this happens, or how to force a specific capitalization?

Answer: 
One of the [basic principles of CakePHP](http://book.cakephp.org/view/892/Basic-Principles-of-CakePHP) is about making life easier by [following conventions](http://book.cakephp.org/view/22/CakePHP-Conventions). As @Neal above says, CakePHP expects the Model to be capitalised. Stick to it being capitalised and you'll make your life easier.
You can override this by adding the line in your `model`.  

`$this->name = 'brand';`