gistfile1.txt

    // Object calisthenics...
    // actual version
    public function checkExistsAction()
    {
        $email = $this->post('email');
        $customerID = 1;
        
        $accountHelper = $this->getService('user.account.helper');
        
        if($accountHelper->existsByEmail($customerID, $email)) {
            return $this->createResponse(array(
                'status'         => 'error',
                'code'           => 'E_EMAIL_EXISTS'
            ));
        }
        
        return $this->createResponse(array(
            'status' => 'success',
            'code'   => 'OK'
        ));

    }


    // versus this one:

    public function checkExistsAction()
    {
        $email = $this->post('email');
        $customerID = 1;
        
        $accountHelper = $this->getService('user.account.helper');

        $returnCode = array(
          'status' => 'success',
          'code'   => 'OK'
        );
        
        if($accountHelper->existsByEmail($customerID, $email)) {
            $returnCode = array(
              'status' => 'error',
              'code'   => 'E_EMAIL_EXISTS'
            );
        }
        
        return $this->createResponse($returnCode);
    }