Codeigniter: Easiest way to make users details grabbed from a data base accessible by methods in any controller or method.

Add the function into a model , then you can load the model in different controllers when you need it . Please read the documentation .

Example

class User_model extends Model {

    function User_model()
    {
        parent::Model();
    }

    function get_user_by_email($email)
    {
     .....
    }
}

Save this to application/models/user_model.php , then in any of you're controller you can call :

$this->load->model('user_model');
$user_data = $this->user_model->get_user_by_email('me@example.com');

Then play with user data how you like

You cannot return multiple times. Just make an array, and return that.

Instead of $row = $query->row();, use $row = $query->row_array();, and then return that array.

This function should be inside a model file, which can be loaded from any controller.

I just made a detailed blog post about this exact topic, covering how to construct your "protected" controllers and at the same time define a global $the_user variable that is available both in all protected controllers and views.

I will try to compile a summary for this answer but until then, checkout my post.

Hands down the easiest way would be to store that information in a cookie/session. Typically I store the users email, name, and user_id. I of course encrypt the information stored in the cookie/session as well :)