Hooks - Extending the Framework Core

CodeIgniter’s Hooks feature provides a means to tap into and modify the inner workings of the framework without hacking the core files. When CodeIgniter runs it follows a specific execution process, diagramed in the Application Flow page. There may be instances, however, where you’d like to cause some action to take place at a particular stage in the execution process. For example, you might want to run a script right before your controllers get loaded, or right after, or you might want to trigger one of your own scripts in some other location.

Enabling Hooks

The hooks feature can be globally enabled/disabled by setting the following item in the application/config/config.php file:

$config['enable_hooks'] = TRUE;

Defining a Hook

Hooks are defined in the application/config/hooks.php file. Each hook is specified as an array with this prototype:

$hook['pre_controller'] = array(
        'class'    => 'MyClass',
        'function' => 'Myfunction',
        'filename' => 'Myclass.php',
        'filepath' => 'hooks',
        'params'   => array('beer', 'wine', 'snacks')
);

Notes:

The array index correlates to the name of the particular hook point you want to use. In the above example the hook point is pre_controller. A list of hook points is found below. The following items should be defined in your associative hook array:

• class The name of the class you wish to invoke. If you prefer to use a procedural function instead of a class, leave this item blank.
• function The function (or method) name you wish to call.
• filename The file name containing your class/function.
• filepath The name of the directory containing your script. Note: Your script must be located in a directory INSIDE your application/ directory, so the file path is relative to that directory. For example, if your script is located in application/hooks/, you will simply use ‘hooks’ as your filepath. If your script is located in application/hooks/utilities/ you will use ‘hooks/utilities’ as your filepath. No trailing slash.
• params Any parameters you wish to pass to your script. This item is optional.

You can also use lambda/anoymous functions (or closures) as hooks, with a simpler syntax:

$hook['post_controller'] = function()
{
        /* do something here */
};

Multiple Calls to the Same Hook

If want to use the same hook point with more than one script, simply make your array declaration multi-dimensional, like this:

$hook['pre_controller'][] = array(
        'class'    => 'MyClass',
        'function' => 'MyMethod',
        'filename' => 'Myclass.php',
        'filepath' => 'hooks',
        'params'   => array('beer', 'wine', 'snacks')
);

$hook['pre_controller'][] = array(
        'class'    => 'MyOtherClass',
        'function' => 'MyOtherMethod',
        'filename' => 'Myotherclass.php',
        'filepath' => 'hooks',
        'params'   => array('red', 'yellow', 'blue')
);

Notice the brackets after each array index:

$hook['pre_controller'][]

This permits you to have the same hook point with multiple scripts. The order you define your array will be the execution order.

Hook Points

The following is a list of available hook points.

• pre_system Called very early during system execution. Only the benchmark and hooks class have been loaded at this point. No routing or other processes have happened.
• pre_controller Called immediately prior to any of your controllers being called. All base classes, routing, and security checks have been done.
• post_controller_constructor Called immediately after your controller is instantiated, but prior to any method calls happening.
• post_controller Called immediately after your controller is fully executed.
• display_override Overrides the _display() method, used to send the finalized page to the web browser at the end of system execution. This permits you to use your own display methodology. Note that you will need to reference the CI superobject with $this->CI =& get_instance() and then the finalized data will be available by calling $this->CI->output->get_output().
• cache_override Enables you to call your own method instead of the _display_cache() method in the Output Library. This permits you to use your own cache display mechanism.
• post_system Called after the final rendered page is sent to the browser, at the end of system execution after the finalized data is sent to the browser.