CodeIgniter is an open-source PHP web application framework designed to simplify and accelerate the process of building dynamic websites and web applications. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which promotes separation of concerns and modular development.

Here’s a breakdown of the key components and features of CodeIgniter:

  1. MVC Architecture: CodeIgniter encourages the separation of application logic into three main components:
    – Model: Represents the data and database-related operations. It handles data retrieval, storage, and manipulation.
    – View: Deals with presenting data to the user. It generates the HTML output that the user interacts with.
    – Controller: Acts as an intermediary between the Model and View. It processes user requests, manipulates data, and controls the flow of the application.
  2. Lightweight and Modular: CodeIgniter is known for its lightweight footprint. Its core system only requires a few libraries, making it suitable for projects of various sizes. Developers can load additional modules and libraries as needed.
  3. Flexibility: Developers have the freedom to structure their projects as they see fit. CodeIgniter doesn’t impose strict coding rules, enabling developers to adopt their preferred coding practices.
  4. User-Friendly Documentation: CodeIgniter comes with comprehensive and well-organized documentation, making it easier for developers to learn and use the framework efficiently.
  5. Security Features: CodeIgniter includes various security features such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection prevention mechanisms. These help developers build more secure applications by default.
  6. Form and Data Validation: The framework provides a robust validation library to validate form data and user inputs. This assists in maintaining data integrity and minimizing errors.
  7. Database Abstraction: CodeIgniter supports multiple database systems (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, etc.) through a database abstraction layer, allowing developers to switch between databases seamlessly.
  8. Caching: The framework supports different types of caching, including page caching, query caching, and data caching. This can significantly improve the performance of web applications.
  9. Session Management: CodeIgniter includes session management features that enable developers to maintain user-specific data across multiple pages or requests.
  10. URL Routing: It offers a routing system that enables developers to define custom URLs for their application’s controllers and methods, enhancing the readability of URLs.
  11. Error Handling: CodeIgniter provides a centralized error handling system that allows developers to manage and log errors efficiently.
  12. Helpers and Libraries: The framework includes a variety of helpers and libraries that simplify common tasks, such as working with forms, handling file uploads, managing sessions, and more.

CodeIgniter has been popular in the PHP development community due to its simplicity, ease of use, and solid performance. It’s worth noting that the information provided here is based on the state of CodeIgniter up until my last knowledge update in September 2021, and there might have been updates or changes since then.

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