Models in CodeIgniter

⏱ Estimated reading time: 2 min

Models in CodeIgniter (CodeIgniter 4)

A Model in CodeIgniter is responsible for interacting with the database. It contains all the logic related to data retrieval, insertion, update, and deletion.

1. What Is a Model?

• Handles database operations

• Represents a database table

• Keeps business logic out of controllers

• Works with Query Builder automatically

2. Model Location

app/Models/

3. Creating a Model

Using Spark CLI (Recommended)

php spark make:model UserModel

Manual Creation

namespace App\Models;

use CodeIgniter\Model;

class UserModel extends Model
{
    protected $table      = 'users';
    protected $primaryKey = 'id';

    protected $allowedFields = ['name', 'email', 'password'];
}

4. Basic CRUD Operations

Insert Data

$model = new UserModel();

$model->insert([
    'name'  => 'John',
    'email' => 'john@example.com'
]);

Fetch Data

$model->findAll();       // All records
$model->find(1);         // By ID
$model->where('email', 'john@example.com')->first();

Update Data

$model->update(1, ['name' => 'Updated Name']);

Delete Data

$model->delete(1);

5. Using Model in Controller

use App\Models\UserModel;

class User extends BaseController
{
    public function index()
    {
        $model = new UserModel();
        $data['users'] = $model->findAll();
        return view('users', $data);
    }
}

6. Validation in Models

protected $validationRules = [
    'email' => 'required|valid_email|is_unique[users.email]'
];

7. Timestamps (Automatic)

protected $useTimestamps = true;
protected $createdField = 'created_at';
protected $updatedField = 'updated_at';

8. Soft Deletes

protected $useSoftDeletes = true;
protected $deletedField  = 'deleted_at';

9. Custom Model Methods

public function getActiveUsers()
{
    return $this->where('status', 'active')->findAll();
}

10. Entity Classes (Optional)

protected $returnType = 'App\Entities\User';

Provides object-oriented data handling.

11. Model Protection (Mass Assignment)

protected $protectFields = true;
protected $allowedFields = ['name', 'email'];

12. Best Practices

✅ One model per table
✅ Keep database logic in models
✅ Use validation & timestamps
❌ Avoid direct SQL in controllers

Summary

• Models manage database interactions

• Stored in app/Models

• Provide CRUD, validation, soft deletes

• Keep controllers clean and maintainable