CODE EXAMPLE FOR PHP

prestashop category as homepage

/* Quick and dirty
 * in file Controllers/IndexController.php
 */
public function initContent() {
   parent::initContent();
   Tools::redirect('index.php?id_category=10&controller=category');
   $this->context->smarty->assign('HOOK_HOME', Hook::exec('displayHome'));
   $this->setTemplate(_PS_THEME_DIR_.'index.tpl');
}