These are a particular type of library that has a parent class and many child classes. These child classes have access to the parent class, but not to their siblings. Drivers are found in system/libraries folder.
In CodeIgniter, drivers are a set of classes that enable you to extend the core functionality of the framework without modifying its core files. They provide a modular approach to handling similar tasks by allowing you to define interchangeable components. Drivers are typically used for handling different types of resources or services that share a common interface.
Here’s what you can include in your answer about CodeIgniter drivers:
- Purpose: Drivers in CodeIgniter are used to provide a way to handle different implementations of the same type of functionality.
- Implementation: Drivers are organized as sets of classes that adhere to a common interface or base class. Each driver class typically implements methods that define how to perform specific operations.
- Flexibility: By utilizing drivers, developers can switch between different implementations of a feature without changing the application’s core code. This promotes modularity and maintainability.
- Example Use Cases: Common examples of drivers in CodeIgniter include database drivers (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), caching drivers (e.g., File, Memcached), and session drivers (e.g., Native PHP session, Database session).
- Configuration: CodeIgniter allows developers to configure which driver to use for a specific task, offering flexibility and customization options.
- Extensibility: Developers can create custom drivers to integrate with third-party services or implement specialized functionality tailored to their application’s needs.
In an interview setting, it’s also beneficial to provide examples or discuss how you’ve used drivers in your projects to demonstrate practical understanding and experience with the concept.