Helpers VS Config Files |
[eluser]BradEstey[/eluser]
Lets say I create a custom config file with the intention of storing global variables like directory paths, blocked IP arrays and so on. So lets say I store my Image directory location in a variable just incase I want to change it later and have it take effect globally. I would put the following in a custom config file: Code: $config['imgdir'] = 'img'; And autoload the custom config file... Then whenever I want to call the image directory in a view or model or whatever, I have to write: $this->config->item('imgdir') But that's pretty long... so If I create a helper file and create a function like this: Code: function imgdir() { Then autoload that helper, all I have to write to call the image directory is imgdir() .... which is a whole lot shorter. I tried creating functions to call from my custom config file but they don't work. Code: function imgdir() { Is there any downside to using a helper to store these variables over using a custom config file? Does calling a function take up more resources?
[eluser]danmontgomery[/eluser]
You can't access $this outside of a class. To access the CI object you need to use get_instance(): Code: function imgdir() { You can also use the config_item() function (globally): Code: echo config_item('imgdir'); No matter how you access it you are making a function call, resources are not really an issue.
[eluser]BradEstey[/eluser]
is the "=&" needed in PHP5 or can it just be "="?
[eluser]danmontgomery[/eluser]
The ampersand tells PHP to assign a reference, rather than create a copy. It's not "needed", but you should not remove it. http://php.net/manual/en/language.references.php
[eluser]Aken[/eluser]
I say if you're going to write the helper functions, you might as well bypass the config variables all together. Create a helper file, autoload it if you want/need to, then define all your variables there. Code: function imgdir() {
[eluser]BradEstey[/eluser]
Thanks Aken, that was my thought too. But, in the interest of keeping logic separate from data, I've opted to keep my config file. |
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