Code Igniter User Guide Version 1.4.0

Query Results

There are several ways to generate query results:

result()

This function returns the query result as an array of objects, or FALSE on failure. Typically you'll use this in a foreach loop, like this:

$query = $this->db->query("YOUR QUERY");

foreach ($query->result() as $row)
{
   echo $row->title;
   echo $row->name;
   echo $row->body;
}

If you run queries that might not produce a result, you are encouraged to test the result first:

$query = $this->db->query("YOUR QUERY");

if ($query->num_rows() > 0)
{
   foreach ($query->result() as $row)
   {
      echo $row->title;
      echo $row->name;
      echo $row->body;
   }
}

result_array()

This function returns the query result as a pure array, or FALSE on failure. Typically you'll use this in a foreach loop, like this:

$query = $this->db->query("YOUR QUERY");

foreach ($query->result_array() as $row)
{
   echo $row['title'];
   echo $row['name'];
   echo $row['body'];
}

row()

This function returns a single result row. If your query has more than one row, it returns only the first row. The result is returned as an object. Here's a usage example:

$query = $this->db->query("YOUR QUERY");

if ($query->num_rows() > 0)
{
   $row = $query->row();

   echo $row->title;
   echo $row->name;
   echo $row->body;
}

If you want a specific row returned you can submit the row number as a digit in the first parameter: $row = $query->row(5);

row_array()

Identical to the above row() function, except it returns an array. Example:

$query = $this->db->query("YOUR QUERY");

if ($query->num_rows() > 0)
{
   $row = $query->row_array();

   echo $row['title'];
   echo $row['name'];
   echo $row['body'];
}

If you want a specific row returned you can submit the row number as a digit in the first parameter: $row = $query->row_array(5);

In addition, you can walk forward/backwards/first/last through your results using these variations:

$row = $query->first_row()
$row = $query->last_row()
$row = $query->next_row()
$row = $query->previous_row()

By default they return an object unless you put the word "array" in the parameter:

$row = $query->first_row('array')
$row = $query->last_row('array')
$row = $query->next_row('array')
$row = $query->previous_row('array')


Query Result Helpers

The following functions provide useful information when dealing with query results.

$query->num_rows()

The number of rows returned by the query. Note: $query is the variable that the query was assigned to:

$query = $this->db->query('SELECT * FROM my_table');

echo $query->num_rows();

$query->num_fields()

The number of FIELDS returned by the query. Make sure to call the function using your query result object:

$query = $this->db->query('SELECT * FROM my_table');

echo $query->num_fields();

$this->db->insert_id()

The insert ID number when performing database inserts.

$this->db->affected_rows()

Displays the number of affected rows, when doing "write" type queries (insert, update, etc.).

Note: In MySQL "DELETE FROM TABLE" returns 0 affected rows. The database class has a small hack that allows it to return the correct number of affected rows. By default this hack is enabled but it can be turned off in the database driver file.

$this->db->version()

Outputs the database version you are running:

echo $this->db->version();