Top 7 Mistakes Developers Make When Using CodeIgniter (And How to Avoid Them)
Whether you’re coding solo or hiring a CodeIgniter development company, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the best practices. Below are the top 7 mistakes developers make when using CodeIgniter-and how to avoid them.
1. Ignoring MVC Best Practices
- Writing database queries in controllers
- Putting logic inside views
- Skipping models altogether
How to avoid it:
2. Hardcoding URLs and Paths
How to avoid it:
Use CodeIgniter’s built-in functions like base_url() and site_url() for all links and resources. These dynamically generate paths based on your configuration, making your code portable and future-proof.
3. Not Using Form Validation Properly
How to avoid it:
4. Neglecting Security Features
- CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)
- XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
- SQL Injection
How to avoid it:
- Enable CSRF protection in the config.php file
- Use $this->security->xss_clean() for input filtering
- Use active record or query builder to prevent SQL injection
Better yet, opt for professional CodeIgniter development services that prioritize security from the start.
5. Failing to Use HMVC for Large Applications
How to avoid it:
Use the HMVC (Hierarchical Model View Controller) extension. It allows modular development, letting you split large apps into manageable components. This promotes reusability and cleaner architecture.
6. Poor Error Handling and Logging
How to avoid it:
7. Skipping Performance Optimization
Common mistakes include:
- No caching for frequently accessed pages
- Unoptimized queries
- Large controllers and models doing too much
How to avoid it:
- Use CodeIgniter’s caching libraries
- Break down large logic blocks into reusable functions
- Work with a skilled CodeIgniter development company to audit and optimize performance regularly
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure about your current setup or want to build something robust from scratch, it’s wise to partner with a reliable CodeIgniter development company like iTechVision. With professional CodeIgniter development services, you’ll avoid these pitfalls and get a solution tailored to your business needs.
