How do I create and use custom helpers in CodeIgniter to streamline my code?

Creating Custom Helpers in CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter helpers facilitate working with arrays and other data by providing reusable functions. If you find yourself writing similar loop functions repeatedly across different views, consider creating a custom helper to keep your code organized and concise.

Defining the Helper File

A CodeIgniter helper is a PHP file containing helper functions. Unlike classes, helpers do not have a constructor or methods.

Create a new file in the "application/helpers" directory and name it "loops_helper.php". Add the following code:

<?php
if ( ! defined('BASEPATH')) exit('No direct script access allowed');

if ( ! function_exists('array_sort_by_key'))
{
    function array_sort_by_key($array, $key)
    {
        usort($array, function($a, $b) use ($key){
            return $a[$key] > $b[$key];
        });
    }   
}

Loading the Helper

To use your custom helper, load it into your controller, model, or view. It's recommended to avoid loading helpers in views.

In your controller:

$this->load->helper('loops_helper');

Using the Helper Functions

Once loaded, you can use the helper functions as follows:

array_sort_by_key($myArray, 'name');

Autoloading the Helper

If you want the helper to be loaded automatically, add it to the "helper" array in the "application/config/autoload.php" file:

$autoload['helper'] = array('loops_helper');

Additional Notes

• Functions in helper files must be defined outside of classes.
• Helper files should be named appropriately, reflecting their purpose.
• Avoid creating large helpers with numerous unrelated functions. Keep them modular and focused.
• Use PHP 5.3 or later to take advantage of anonymous functions in helpers.

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