How do I use a Codeigniter method within my own function?

Question

I use Codeigniter as my PHP framework, and in one of my controllers, I want to include a Codeingiter method within a function I created myself. The CodeIgniter method that I want to include in my function is "$this->db->escape($var);", which is an escaping query for Codeigniter. My PHP code is the following:

foreach ($array as $item)
{
  $name = $item["name"];
  $name = processvar($name);
}

function processvar($var) {
  $var = $this->db->escape($var);
  return $var;
}

However, the code above produces the following error message:

Fatal error: Using $this when not in object context in [folder path]/index.php on line #

Please advise how I can include the "$this->db->escape()" method in my own custom function.

Michael D. · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-30 02:14:34Z

1

function processvar($var) {
    $CI =& get_instance();
    $var = $CI->db->escape($var);

    return $var;
}

answered Dec 30, 2013 at 2:14

Michael D.

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1 Comment

Colin Hu Over a year ago

Thank you! It worked like a charm. I guess I should read CodeIgniter manual more carefully next time.

Giacomo1968 · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-26 03:50:05Z

0

If you want to use a function from another library/framework in your own function, it sometimes it’s best to look at the source code. Remember, modifying the core of any project is inadvisable, but looking at how it works is encouraged in the open source world. It’s really the best way to learn how to code!

Looking at the core of Codeigniter, this function:

$this->db->escape()

Which is located in codeIgniter-base/system/database/DB_driver.php around line 681 is basically a wrapper for:

$this->escape_str()

Which is located in codeIgniter-base/system/database/drivers/sqlsrv/sqlsrv_driver.php around line 258. Which itself is simply this function:

function escape_str($str, $like = FALSE)
{
    // Escape single quotes
    return str_replace("'", "''", $str);
}

So knowing that, why not just do this in your code:

function processvar($var) {
  $var = str_replace("'", "''", $var);
  return $var;
}

That said, is your function going to exist within a Codeigniter project? Then perhaps it’s best to create a new class for your functions that extends the core Codeigniter class but adds your methods (aka: functions) to it. But without knowing the context of this coding on your side, hard to say.

edited Dec 26, 2013 at 3:50

answered Dec 26, 2013 at 1:35

Giacomo1968

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1 Comment

Colin Hu Over a year ago

Hi, I appreciate your explanation. However, the function "$this->escape_str()" does much more than just replace single quotes. It escapes double quotes as well and much more. Unfortunately, the function you found in the source code is incomplete.

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