Extending Mage Core Files Without Loosing Namespace - magento

Question

I would like to introduce my own entities into particular Magento module namespaces for example I might want to be able to call
Mage::getModel('catalog/brand')->load(1);
Brand is not currently a model included in the catalog module. I don't want to modify core files nor do I want to hack the core by just adding a Mage folder to the local directory.
I was thinking perhaps syntax inside of my namespaces config file similar to this:
<models>
<catalog>
<args>
<modules>
<AJW_Catalog before="Mage_Catalog">AJW_Catalog</AJW_Catalog>
</modules>
</args>
</catalog>
<ajw_catalog>
<class>AJW_Catalog_Model</class>
</ajw_catalog>
</models>
but it does not seem to work.
Does anyone know how this can be accomplished?

Answer 1

Maybe possible with some trickery, but not officially supported, and generally a bad idea. The before= syntax you've used only works for the routers node. There's no framework code to let you do what you're trying to do. Also, there's a strong bias in the Magento framework code towards individual modules "owning" their namespace/package name. Defining new models in an existing namespace (catalog) introduces the theoretical possibility that your code may conflicts with a future version of Magento's code.

Answer 2

This may be a possible fix (brain fart)
Create a module named Customnamespace_Catalog and then just rewrite the catalog module with a node that doesnt exist in the default mage module:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
<modules>
<Namespace_Catalog>
<version>0.1.0</version>
</Namespace_Catalog>
</modules>
<global>
<models>
<catalog>
<rewrite>
<brand>Namespace_Brand_Model_Brand</brand>
</rewrite>
</catalog>
</models>
</global>
</config>
Followed by an additional module:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
<modules>
<Namespace_Brand>
<version>0.1.0</version>
</Namespace_Brand>
</modules>
<global>
<models>
<brand>
<class>Namespace_Brand_Model</class>
</brand>
</models>
</global>
</config>
This will allow you to call Mage::getModel('catalog/brand')
echo get_class(Mage::getModel('catalog/brand'); // Namespace_Brand_Model_Brand