Building Applications using CodeIgniter (Part 3) – Helpers
So far in this series we’ve discussed framework/application structure and configuration information. The next thing I always add to new applications is some common helper files I’ve developed and that come in handy in most projects. CodeIgniter (CI) helpers are very flexible tools to assist with common tasks throughout the app. If it doesn’t belong in a controller and is too small for a custom library then a helper might be just what the programmer ordered.
Your thoughts: Do web apps need offline components?
I’ve seen a lot of discussion over the last couple of months about things like Google Gears and Adobe Air, technologies that make it easier to develop web applications that can be run/accessed from the desktop. The more I consider this concept the more I scratch my head in confusion. I have had a request or two from my customers to develop desktop components to my systems but have always dismissed the concept because of the complexity. That and I guess I just don’t understand the need.
I believe that the web is becoming the operating system of the future. More and more SaaS companies are popping up everyday and more apps are finding their way online until most of the software people use will be web based. When I boot up my computer the first program I open is a web browser. So that brings me to the question at hand: do web apps need offline components? I’m referring to desktop clients (like the multitude of Twitter clients I’ve seen lately) and separate versions that let you work when you don’t have Internet access (which is slowly becoming a rarity). Is it really worth all the work and complexity that goes along with it?
Building Applications using CodeIgniter (Part 2) – Configuration
The framework that you use to build your application will end up being the foundation of your program. Everything that your program does will revolve around how that framework works. Things like naming conventions, file paths and settings are dictated by the framework. But if you have chosen a good framework, like CodeIgniter (CI), you will be able to manipulate how that framework works and the tools it makes available to you by modifying it’s configuration information. In the first post I talked about application file structure. Now that the structure is solid I’m going to look at how I configure the framework so that it works the way I expect.
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How-to Ensure a Secure Connection Using PHP
- Image via Wikipedia
When submitting sensitive information over the web it’s important to ensure that the requested page is being accessed via an HTTPS encrypted connection. I’ve come across some forms that don’t check whether a secure connection has been made or not. In other words, you can delete the S from HTTP and instead of redirecting the user back to the HTTPS connection the form is just displayed unsecured. This is a BIG NO NO… as a programmer you cannot rely on the visitor, or even other developers who would be linking to the form, to request a form securely. In this post I will review how you can ensure that your users are accessing certain pages using a secure connection.
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Building Applications using CodeIgniter (Part 1) – File Structure
Creating web applications with CodeIgniter (CI) is quick and easy because CI handles a lot of the typical application requirements right out of the box (like session management, database abstraction and file uploading). I’ve developed a number of applications with CI now, including BadgeTracker and Sign-Up-Sheet.com, and while CI does handle the repetitive stuff it’s still up to you to create a scalable and easy to update application. Over the last couple of years I’ve come up with a pretty solid structure and set of files that I use whenever I’m building a new app and in this series I’m going to show you what I do so you can get ideas for your own apps.
Good Commercial
I’m not a Sprint customer… but this is a pretty cool commercial.
I’m a Zend Certified Engineer (ZCE)
Last week I mentioned that I was going in for my Zend PHP 5 Certification exam on Friday. The test has come and gone and I’m happy to say I passed. To be honest, the test was a little more difficult than I thought it would be and I was a bit nervous at the end. But I passed and I can cross that off my list of goals for 2009 
.
If you are considering getting certified I would deffinitly recommend it. I can’t speak on the impact it will have on your ability to get a job or anything like that, but I can tell you that it’s a nice accomplishment just for yourself. If there was one thing I learned while studying for the test it’s how much I didn’t know about PHP. 5 years of programming still left some large gaps in my knowledge which this process has helped me realize and reduce. If your not certified give it a shot, you’ve got nothing to loose.
CodeIgniter in php|architect Magazine
For those of you who havn’t given CI a try yet or are just starting out, Chris Cornutt wrote a nice intro. article for this months issue of php|architect magazine. Check it out!
Zend PHP Certification: Necessary or Not?
- Image via Wikipedia
I have to start this post out with a quick apology for the lack of recent posts. There is a lot going on right now: working on ScoutPath (which launches in June), putting out fires in BadgeTracker and working full time at my day job. All of this leaves little time for blogging (or anything else for that matter). Another thing I’m working on is getting my Zend PHP 5 certification and that brings me to this post. A couple of years ago when Zend first announced the certification I was determined to get certified but just haven’t put my mind to it until recently. However, after studying for the last couple of weeks and taking the practice tests I am left wondering what this certification proves and whether it’s truly worth it.
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WordPress: The Ultimate Hype Machine
One of the reasons things have been quiet here for a while is because I’m working on a new project called ScoutPath (http://www.myscoutpath.com). If you have been to my projects page you may know a little about it. ScoutPath is an online community for Boy Scouts where they can track their trail to Eagle, interact with their troop, connect with groups, friends and more. Anticipated launch isn’t until June, but I think this project has a lot of potential so I’m going to pull out all the stops and do a full hype/promo campaign leading up to the launch. To help me accomplish this I’m enlisting the assistance of WordPress (WP). This post is about how I plan on using WP to assist/automate the pre-launch promotional process.
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