10 Features of CodeIgniter Every Developer Should Know
There is no doubt that CodeIgniter is one of the best PHP frameworks for developing websites. However, before using CodeIgniter for development, every PHP developer should be aware of all the features of CodeIgniter to use it to its full potential.
In this article, we will go over all the great features of the CodeIgniter framework in depth. It will help you understand how to use the CodeIgniter best for your development needs.
But before diving deep into the agenda, let’s briefly understand what CodeIgniter is and why it is essential. It will help those who are new to the CodeIgniter framework.
Let’s dive in!
What is CodeIgniter?
CodeIgniter is a robust PHP framework with a small footprint that is ideal for developers looking for a simple and fast toolkit for building full-featured web applications. Despite being a lightweight web framework, several CodeIgniter features make it easier for PHP developers to create dynamic web applications.
It helps developers reduce the cost of developing web applications because it is an open-source framework. It efficiently handles all of the system’s critical activities. That is why companies nowadays want to hire talented CodeIgniter developers. To speed up the hiring process, companies also prefer platforms such as Turing that can help them hire Silicon Valley-caliber remote CodeIgniter developers in 3-5 days.
Now that you have a good idea of how powerful CodeIgniter is, let us return to our main topic, which is analyzing all of the features of CodeIgniter so that you can make the most out of it.
Top 10 features of CodeIgniter
1. Quick development
Most businesses choose CodeIgniter for web development because it provides quick development services that no other framework can match. As a result, if you want to develop websites quickly, you can rely on this powerful framework.
Development in CodeIgniter requires less code than in other platforms, which is a massive benefit for those who want better functionality on their website with minimal code.
2. Inbuilt security
One of the most important advantages of CodeIgniter is that security tools are already included. You can choose the level of security that you require with CodeIgniter. It has default actions like turning off runtime directives when enabling system initialization, but it also has options like handling session data with a database or cookie encryption, among many others.
CodeIgniter also includes built-in security against CSRF and XSS attacks. As a result, it makes it easier for developers to write secure PHP applications, which is critical for all developers. It guards your website against common security threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting attacks, and remote code execution.
Its advanced security features help secure passwords in a variety of ways. With many default security actions available in the framework, you can choose how and to what extent you want to protect the website or app.
3. The MVC-based system
One of the most significant features of CodeIgniter is that it is based on MVC (Model View Controller), which increases the platform’s overall dependability. MVC supports Test-Driven Development, which means the developer can precisely develop and test modules based on requirements.
Integrating with your existing scripts aids developers in developing core libraries for the system. CodeIgniter allows its users to take the MVC path rather than other procedural paths. CodeIgniter development can easily build and manage large applications thanks to the MVC architecture.
Additionally, MVC simplifies development and allows easy integration with JavaScript frameworks. It is also used to improve the design in CodeIgniter applications.
4. Excellent bug handling
To create flawless websites with exceptional functionality and design, you should consider CodeIgniter. It provides a simple user interface to assist in locating any errors or bugs that impede the website’s smooth operation and, as a result, improves user experience.
The errors in the code are displayed precisely and without difficulty. That is why most developers prefer CodeIgniter whenever they need to create a bug-free website without sacrificing overall quality.
5. Better search engine optimization
Another feature of CodeIgniter that makes it perfect for developing websites is its ability to improve search engine optimization (SEO) ranking. Digital marketing experts prefer this platform for website development to increase traffic.
Besides, the platform provides many features that aid website optimization without affecting the layout or other critical elements.
6. Community support
One of the most important aspects of any framework is community support. It is beneficial in guiding developers in areas where they are stuck. And CodeIgniter shines in this department as it has a thriving and ever-expanding user community. A quick look at the CodeIgniter forums reveals a membership of over 57,000 (and growing), making it a large community to be a part of and turn to when you have a question or even a problem. Besides this, you also have access to a wiki to find answers.
Many skilled professionals are available to provide you with best-in-class support, especially if you are experiencing problems with advanced development services. One can also obtain source codes that can be reused with minor modifications, which is helpful for enhanced development with minimal effort.
7. Customizability
With CodeIgniter, developers can always customize the website to meet future requirements, saving time. According to some experts, CodeIgniter is the only framework that provides ease of customization compared to the numerous options on the market.
The primary reasons for relying on CodeIgniter are instant error correction and simplified file configuration, especially when looking for promising custom website development services.
8. User-friendly interface
The framework’s user interface determines its effectiveness, and CodeIgniter excels in this area. It has an easy-to-use interface that makes it suitable for beginners. CodeIgniter application development becomes more fluid, dynamic, and secure with its user-friendly interface.
The CodeIgniter framework is more dependable, lightweight, and efficient to use. You can easily change the features of the CodeIgniter framework when creating new libraries. In addition, CodeIgniter coding is simpler to grasp when compared to other frameworks.
You can easily change its features to meet your needs. Database abstraction layers are also available with CodeIgniter development. It is simple to modify the database with CodeIgniter, such as adding and removing columns and creating new and removing old ones from tables.
9. Hassle-free migration
Regarding database updates and migration, CodeIgniter allows developers to move quickly from one server to another. Several businesses rely on CodeIgniter solely because it provides adequate migration support services. No matter where you store old data, you can easily migrate it to this platform. And if you face any issues while migrating, you can always rely on its huge and helping community support.
10. Test-driven development
CodeIgniter is the only platform that supports test-driven development, allowing developers to use a step-by-step testing approach when creating a website. With this, developers can quickly analyze the website’s performance or functionality. They can promptly check every development phase using a step-by-step process and complete testing.
Bottom Line
After analyzing all the essential features of CodeIgniter, we can say that CodeIgniter is one of the best PHP frameworks for building dynamic websites. It gives users complete freedom as they can rely on the MVC development pattern. Furthermore, it supports third-party plugins, which can help implement complex functionalities. You can create anything you want with CodeIgniter, such as a website, web app, API, games, and more. Try CodeIgniter to develop dynamic, secure, and stable websites.
About the Author
Mohit Singh is an Engineer turned tech blogger. He loves diving deep into the tech space and has been doing it for the last three years. He calls himself a cinephile and plays badminton in his free time. For more information, you can connect with him on Linkedin or Instagram.
