CodeIgniter Helpers
The Helpers (functions) are stored in the Helper file. It helps CodeIgniter to perform different tasks.
The helper file is the collection of many functions that is used to perform specific task. It is divided into small functions to perform different functionalities in the web application.
For example, URL Helpers, Form Helpers, Text Helpers, Cookie Helpers, etc.
Like the other CodeIgniter functions, helpers functions do not follow object-oriented approach because they have not any classes. Instead of this, it creates a simple function to perform a specific task, and each function works independently.
Remember: CodeIgniter does not load any helper file itself, so you are required to load it manually. Once the helper file is loaded, it becomes globally accessible in the controller and views files.
Generally, Helpers are stored in the application folder, or the system/helpers folder. When you load the helper’s file, then CodeIgniter, first checks in application/helper folder. If the folder is not present, or the particular helper file is not existing, then CodeIgniter (CI) checks globally to access the system/helper’s folder.
The Helper folder contains multiple helpers function files. The following tables describes the different helper functions.
| Helper name | Description |
| Array Helper | This file contains some predefined function that used to work with arrays. Syntax: $this->load-> helper(‘ array ’); |
| CAPTCHA helper | This file store some function, that used to create captcha images Syntax: $this->load->helper (‘captcha’); |
| Cookie helper | This file has some method that helps to work with cookies. Syntax: $this->load->helper(‘cookie’); |
| Date helper | This file contains some predefined function that used to work with dates. Syntax: $this->load->helper(‘dates’); |
| Directory helper | This file had some predefined functions which are used to working with directories. Syntax: $this->load->helper(‘directory’); |
| Download helper | It is used to download data on your desktop. Syntax: $this->load->helper(‘download’); |
| Email helper | Itis used to provide a dependent function to work with email. Syntax: $this->load->helper(‘ email ‘); |
| File helper | It contains some file functions to work with files. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘file’ ); |
| Form helper | It contains some predefined function that’s used to create form and associated operations. Syntax: $this->load->helper->( ‘form’ ); |
| HTML helper | This file contains some predefined functions to work with html. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘html’ ); |
| Inflector helper | This file has some predefined function that allows you to convert English letters or words to plural, singular, camel case, etc. Syntax: $this->load->helper ( ‘inflector’ ); |
| Language helper | This file is used predefined function to change the working of the language files. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘language’ ); |
| Number helper | This file is used to change the numeric data with the use of predefined function in the files. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘number’ ); |
| Path helper | This file is used some predefined function to declare the file path from their source to the server access. Syntax: $this->load->helper ( ‘path’ ); |
| Security helper | This file contains some security-related functions to protect your files from unauthorized access. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘security’ ); |
| Smiley helper | This file is used to represents the smiley image on an application by calling a text code into the file. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘smiley’ ); |
| String helper | This file has a function that used to perform string related operations to manage the password and encrypted the data in the server. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘string’ ); |
| Text helper | This helper file contains some functions that are used to changes in working of the text. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘text’); |
| Typography helper | This file has some predefined functions to convert its actual text into the application's relevant interface. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘typography’ ); |
| URL helper | This file contains some function to produce a link and switching in between the files. Syntax: $this->load->helper( ‘url’ ); |