Library

In CodeIgniter, a library is a collection of PHP classes that provide specific functionality. Using libraries can help make the development process faster and more efficient, as you can reuse existing code rather than writing everything from scratch.

Syntax

To load a CodeIgniter library, the following syntax is used:

$this->load->library('library_name');

Example

Let's take an example of a library to handle email functionality. We'll create a new library named "email_library.php" in the "application/libraries" directory. The code for this library might look something like this:

<?php
class Email_library {

  function send_email($from, $to, $subject, $message) {
    // code to send email
  }

}
?>

Now, we can load this library in our controller by using the following code:

$this->load->library('email_library');

Explanation

In this example, we are creating a new library called "Email_library" that contains a single method "send_email". When we want to use this library, we simply load it using the $this->load->library('library_name') syntax. We can then call the methods within the library as needed.

Use

Libraries in CodeIgniter can be used to add functionality to your application without writing everything from scratch. They can be used to provide common functionality, such as working with a database or sending email. Using libraries can save time and make your code more efficient.

Important Points

• Libraries should be created in the "application/libraries" directory.
• Libraries can be autoloaded by adding them to the "autoload.php" file.
• Libraries can be loaded on the fly in your controller or model.

Summary

Libraries in CodeIgniter are a powerful tool that can be used to add functionality to your application. They can help make the development process faster and more efficient, and can be autoloaded or loaded on the fly as needed. By using libraries, you can avoid writing everything from scratch and create more efficient code.