CodeIgniter functions will not work

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
I have recently started a new project and installed the codeigniter framework using NetBeans 7.0. I have been able to setup and run the starting index page perfectly fine using MAMP and Firefox and the default page which comes with a CodeIgniter install shows up.

For some reason when I use PHP code put forth by codeigniter such as site_url() or base_url() my entire application breaks.

I understand that the url_helper is in the system files and have worked with these functions before on previous projects and have had them working. If I code my own base_url function the process works. I haven't edited any of the files and am just playing with the welcome message view. I don't understand where my application is falling apart.

Please let me know what additional information I need to find/add to help in finding a solution!

[eluser]bubbafoley[/eluser]
did you load the url helper?

Code:

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

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
Gah! You are completely right! I also forget to autoload it as well! Thank you for the response!

[eluser]bubbafoley[/eluser]
no problem. if you autoload then it's not necessary to load it again