When developing Codeigniter projects, how can I prevent them from being unable to be updated?

General
1

Before I start my first Codeigniter3/4 project, I would like to clarify in advance and understand what I need to take into account so that I can continue to update Codeigniter in the future without much effort.

For example, if I make changes to the files belonging to Codeigniter, I would no longer be able to easily overwrite them in the future when an update appears.

Is there a specific procedure for this (except, of course, not to change these files in the first place :slight_smile: )?

I’ve already looked in the Codeigniter documentation, but unfortunately I didn’t find anything there or I was looking for the wrong things.

2

When developing a project using CodeIgniter (CI), especially CodeIgniter 3 or 4, it is crucial to follow best practices to ensure smooth updates and maintainability. Below are detailed guidelines and strategies to help you achieve this:

1. Do Not Modify Core CodeIgniter Files

Avoid making changes to the core CodeIgniter system files located in:

  • CodeIgniter 3: system/
  • CodeIgniter 4: vendor/codeigniter4/framework

Instead, implement customizations and overrides in your application-specific directories:

  • CodeIgniter 3: Use the application/ folder.
  • CodeIgniter 4: Use the app/ folder.

2. Use Configuration Files Properly

  • Store all your settings and configurations in the relevant configuration files:
    • CodeIgniter 3: application/config/
    • CodeIgniter 4: app/Config/
  • Avoid hardcoding settings or directly modifying the index.php or environment files in the system folder.

3. Extend or Override Instead of Editing

If you need to modify or add functionality to core components:

  • CodeIgniter 3:
    • Use MY_Controller.php or MY_Model.php to extend controllers and models. For example:
class MY_Controller extends CI_Controller {
    public function __construct() {
        parent::__construct();
        // Custom functionality here
    }
}
  • CodeIgniter automatically loads files prefixed with MY_.
  • CodeIgniter 4:
    • Extend core classes in the app namespace. For example:
namespace App\Controllers;

use CodeIgniter\Controller;

class BaseController extends Controller {
    // Custom functionality here
}

4. Use Composer for CodeIgniter 4

CodeIgniter 4 uses Composer for dependency management. Ensure you:

  • Use Composer to install or update the framework (composer update).
  • Avoid manually editing vendor/ files.

5. Keep Your Custom Code Separate

Organize custom libraries, helpers, and third-party code in their designated folders:

  • CodeIgniter 3: Use application/libraries/, application/helpers/, and application/third_party/.
  • CodeIgniter 4: Use app/Libraries/ and app/Helpers/.

This ensures that updates to the framework do not overwrite your custom functionality.

6. Use Hooks or Events

  • CodeIgniter 3: Use hooks for modifying the framework’s behavior without touching core files. Define hooks in application/config/hooks.php.
  • CodeIgniter 4: Use events for extending functionality, defined in app/Config/Events.php.

7. Follow the MVC Pattern

Stick to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture:

  • Controllers handle requests and business logic.
  • Models interact with the database.
  • Views display content to the user.

Keeping your code modular and adhering to this structure minimizes coupling, making it easier to update the framework.

8. Use Version Control (e.g., Git)

Always maintain a Git repository for your project:

  • Track changes to your custom code.
  • When a new version of CodeIgniter is released, you can merge updates into your project while resolving any conflicts.

9. Monitor Updates

  • Regularly check the CodeIgniter changelog or GitHub repository for updates.
  • Review release notes to understand which parts of the framework have changed.

10. Test Updates on a Staging Environment

Before applying updates to your live project:

  1. Create a staging environment that mirrors your live setup.
  2. Apply the framework update there.
  3. Test your application thoroughly to ensure nothing breaks.

11. Use Dependency Injection and Avoid Globals

For CodeIgniter 4, rely on dependency injection to pass services to your classes, avoiding global references where possible. This keeps your application loosely coupled.

12. Backup Regularly

Before performing any update, back up your project, including:

  • Codebase.
  • Database.

This ensures you can roll back to a stable state if the update causes issues.

13. Custom Folder for Upgraded Files

If you must modify system files (e.g., for debugging), copy the files to a custom folder (e.g., custom_system/) and use them instead. However, this is discouraged as it complicates updates.

14. Use Environment-Specific Configurations

  • Configure environments (production, development, testing) using ENVIRONMENT in CodeIgniter 3 or .env files in CodeIgniter 4.
  • This ensures smooth transitions across different setups.

15. Automate Routine Checks

Use tools like PHPUnit for testing in CodeIgniter 4 to verify the application’s functionality after updates.

By following these best practices, you’ll minimize the effort required to update CodeIgniter while keeping your project stable and maintainable. Let me know if you need further clarification!