How to Use Plugin In Codeigniter Framework

How to Use Plugin In Codeigniter Framework
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Introduction

Codeigniter is a simple and powerful open-source PHP framework. It is used mainly for MVC (Model View Controller), and also plugins work with different versions. Plugins play an integral role as helpers and are created to be shared by a particular community. This plugin follows a CI bootstrap without any application background because WordPress does that and includes a configuration file for setting database connection constraints.

It is imperative to make sure that the plugin is saved in the system directory because the CodeIgniter will first look into the systems directory.

However, if the directory does not exist or the specified plugin is not located, CodeIgniter will seek into the global system folder. It is well known that the CodeIgniter is an impactful framework specially built for developers who need a simple toolkit.

Codeigniter facilitates the requirement of building featured web applications. Conclusively, the making of effective websites becomes simpler and more interesting. Coming back to the significance of using plugins, it has been witnessed that plugins can be used in several ways. They essentially help the user get additional features on already installed programs.

Hence, it can assuredly use in various spaces to achieve all the vital demands. Here are add-on plugins that are useful and effective access to the framework:

Loading a Plugin

This is a simple process, and it can be easily done by using the following function-

$this->load->plugin (‘name’);

The 'name' specified within the brackets is the plugin's name in this command, which doesn't comprise the .php extension or the 'plugin' part. A plugin can be loaded anywhere within the controller functions, provided that it has been loaded before its use. A user can conveniently load plugins to the controller constructor so that they become available automatically in the specific function.

Auto Loading Plug-ins

If a user requires a specific plugin to be used globally throughout the application, then the CodeIgniter cannot be asked to autoload it during the initialization process. Hence, this is done by opening the 'application/config/autoload.php' file, and as a follow-through step, the plugin is added to the autoload array.

Loading Multiple Plugins

For loads, more than one plugin, what the user can do is that- he can specify them in an array in the following manner-

$this->load->plugin (array (‘plugin’, ‘plugin2’, ‘plugin3’));

Why is it Considered Useful?

Codeigniter is a popular framework for PHP as it provides many additional plugins which will make any website look more attractive. Thus it works with WordPress, and the audience is also aware of the extensive use of WordPress in the current scenario. Thus, keeping in mind, it is worth mentioning that there is a WordPress plugin that integrates CodeIgniter.

Using these plugins to integrate the CodeIgniter framework in WordPress and make it work with different themes and other useful plugins. It is considered highly useful for the following reasons:

  • It can integrate CodeIgniter with immense ease without the invasion of its core.
  • Displaying CodeIgniter output on a page- thus maintaining the WordPress menu structure.
  • No necessity for template editing.
  • The customization of the CodeIgniter variables is easy, and hence the system and application folders can be unhesitatingly kept outside the plugins folder.
  • The convenience of handling segmented URLs in a CodeIgniter manner.

Thus plugins are undeniably vibrant to manage a website efficiently. Codeigniter Development Company offers several plugins which are useful and easier to access. It is also highly economical as several plugins have been designed to satiate an individual's needs.

Orion CEO
About Author

DC Kumawat

DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.