# CodeIgniter User Guide Version 1.6.1

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# Loader Class

Loader, as the name suggests, is used to load elements. These elements can be libraries (classes) View files, Helpers, Plugins, or your own files.

Note: This class is initialized automatically by the system so there is no need to do it manually.

The following functions are available in this class:

## $this->load->library('class_name')

This function is used to load core classes. Where class_name is the name of the class you want to load. Note: We use the terms "class" and "library" interchangeably.

For example, if you would like to send email with CodeIgniter, the first step is to load the email class within your controller:

`$this->load->library('email');`

Once loaded, the library will be ready for use, using `$this->email->``some_function()`. Each library is described in detail in its own page, so please read the information regarding each one you would like to use.

Parameters can be passed to the library via an array in the second parameter.

## $this->load->view('file_name', `$data`, `true/false`)

This function is used to load your View files. If you haven't read the Views section of the user guide it is recommended that you do since it shows you how this function is typically used.

The first parameter is required. It is the name of the view file you would like to load. Note: The .php file extension does not need to be specified unless you use something other then `.php`.

The second optional parameter can take an associative array or an object as input, which it runs through the PHP extract function to convert to variables that can be used in your view files. Again, read the Views page to learn how this might be useful.

The third optional parameter lets you change the behavior of the function so that it returns data as a string rather than sending it to your browser. This can be useful if you want to process the data in some way. If you set the parameter to `true` (boolean) it will return data. The default behavior is `false`, which sends it to your browser. Remember to assign it to a variable if you want the data returned:

`$string = $this->load->view('myfile', '', `true`);`

## $this->load->database('options', `true/false`)

This function lets you load the database class. The two parameters are optional. Please see the database section for more info.

## $this->load->scaffolding('table_name')

This function lets you enable scaffolding. Please see the scaffolding section for more info.

## $this->load->vars(`$array`)

This function takes an associative array as input and generates variables using the PHP extract function. This function produces the same result as using the second parameter of the $this->load->view() function above. The reason you might want to use this function independently is if you would like to set some global variables in the constructor of your controller and have them become available in any view file loaded from any function. You can have multiple calls to this function. The data get cached and merged into one array for conversion to variables.

## $this->load->helper('file_name')

This function loads helper files, where file_name is the name of the file, without the `_helper.php` extension.

## $this->load->plugin('file_name')

This function loads plugins files, where file_name is the name of the file, without the `_plugin.php` extension.

## $this->load->file('filepath/filename', `true/false`)

This is a generic file loading function. Supply the filepath and name in the first parameter and it will open and read the file. By default the data is sent to your browser, just like a View file, but if you set the second parameter to `true` (boolean) it will instead return the data as a string.

## $this->load->lang('file_name')

This function is an alias of the language loading function: $this->lang->load()

## $this->load->config('file_name')

This function is an alias of the config file loading function: $this->config->load()