The popular CodeIgniter PHP framework makes developing in PHP faster and easier. In addition to the core framework and its project-boosting scaffolds, CodeIgnitor has a number of supporting helpers, libraries, and plug-ins that you can use.
In this article, I'll introduce you to four CodeIgniter plug-ins that I use in many of my PHP projects.
PyroCMS
PyroCMS is a lightweight content management system (CMS) built in CodeIgniter. You can use it as a basis for many of your PHP-related projects. For example, using PyroCMS as the foundation for an ecommerce site means you won't have to worry about writing your own code to secure administrator passwords or ensure that hackers are not using SQL injections to compromise the system.
BackendPro
Is a full-blown CMS too much for your project? Consider BackendPro. It is not a CMS, but it provides a leg up on many common backend tasks like user authentication, user accounts, asset management, breadcrumb-trail creation, and more.
Form Generation Library
Most every ecommerce site needs user forms for checkout, account registration, and wish lists. Even a newsletter sign-up is a user form. Form Generation Library helps you generate self-validating forms in minutes.
Twitter API CodeIgniter Library
Social media has become an important part of ecommerce marketing and, therefore, an important part of ecommerce site development. Freelance web developer Elliot Haughin has created Twitter API CodeIgniter Library that makes integrating the popular microblogging tool directly into your ecommerce project easier.
