implementing database functions

[eluser]introvert[/eluser]
Hello,

Can someone post a simple example how to most effectively implement database functions:

For instance, get_item function:

Code:

function get_item($params, $limit = 1, $offset = 0) {
    $query = $this->CI->db->get_where('data', $params, $limit, $offset);
    return $query->result();        
}

Also, how can I return just the zelo element (if limit is set to 1) like return $query->result()[0]; ?

Thanks for help!