# CodeIgniter User Guide Version 1.5.4

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# Models

Models are optionally available for those who want to use a more traditional MVC approach.

- What is a Model?
- Anatomy of a Model
- Loading a Model
- Connecting to your Database

## What is a Model?

Models are PHP classes that are designed to work with information in your database. For example, let's say you use CodeIgniter to manage a blog. You might have a model class that contains functions to insert, update, and retrieve your blog data. Here is an example of what such a model class might look like:

`class Blogmodel extends Model {
var $title = '';
var $content = '';
var $date = '';
function Blogmodel()
{
// Call the Model constructor
parent::Model();
}
function get_last_ten_entries()
{
$query = $this->db->get('entries', 10);
return $query->result();
}
function insert_entry()
{
$this->title = $_POST['title'];
$this->content = $_POST['content'];
$this->date = time();
$this->db->insert('entries', $this);
}
function update_entry()
{
$this->title = $_POST['title'];
$this->content = $_POST['content'];
$this->date = time();
$this->db->update('entries', $this, array('id', $_POST['id']));
}
}`

Note: The functions in the above example use the Active Record database functions.

## Anatomy of a Model

Model classes are stored in your application/models/ folder. They can be nested within sub-folders if you want this type of organization.

The basic prototype for a model class is this:

`class Model_name extends Model {
function Model_name()
{
parent::Model();
}
}`

Where Model_name is the name of your class. Class names must be capitalized. Make sure your class extends the base Model class.

The file name will be a lower case version of your class name. For example, if your class is this:

`class User_model extends Model {
function User_model()
{
parent::Model();
}
}`

Your file will be this:

`application/models/user_model.php`

## Loading a Model

Your models will typically be loaded and called from within your controller functions. To load a model you will use the following function:

`$this->load->model('Model_name');`

If you model is located in a sub-folder, include the relative path from your models folder. For example, if you have a model located at application/models/blog/queries.php you'll load it using:

`$this->load->model('blog/queries');`

Once loaded, you will access your model functions using an object with the same name as your class:

`$this->load->model('Model_name');
$this->Model_name->function();`

If you would like your model assigned to a different object name you can specify it via the second parameter of the loading function:

`$this->load->model('Model_name', '`fubar`');
$this->`fubar`->function();`

Here is an example of a controller, that loads a model, then serves a view:

`class Blog_controller extends Controller {
function blog()
{
$this->load->model('Blog');
$data['query'] = $this->Blog->get_last_ten_entries();
$this->load->view('blog', $data);
}
}`

## Connecting to your Database

When a model is loaded it does NOT connect automatically to your database. The following options for connecting are available to you:

- You can connect using the standard database methods described here, either from within your Controller class or your Model class.
- You can tell the model loading function to auto-connect by passing `TRUE` (boolean) via the third parameter, and connectivity settings, as defined in your database config file will be used: `$this->load->model('Model_name', '', `TRUE`);`
- You can manually pass database connectivity settings via the third parameter: `$config['hostname'] = "localhost";
  $config['username'] = "myusername";
  $config['password'] = "mypassword";
  $config['database'] = "mydatabase";
  $config['dbdriver'] = "mysql";
  $config['dbprefix'] = "";
  $config['pconnect'] = FALSE;
  $config['db_debug'] = TRUE;
  $config['active_r'] = TRUE;
  $this->load->model('Model_name', '', `$config`);`