How to install CodeIgniter?

Installing CodeIgniter is a straightforward process, and I’ll guide you through the steps. Before you begin, ensure that you have PHP and a web server (like Apache or Nginx) installed on your system.

1. Download CodeIgniter: Start by visiting the official CodeIgniter website (https://codeigniter.com/download) and download the latest version of CodeIgniter. You’ll receive a compressed archive containing the framework files.

2. Extract the Files: Once the download is complete, extract the contents of the archive to a directory of your choice on your web server. This will be your project’s root directory.

3. Configuration: CodeIgniter’s core configuration files are stored in the `application/config` directory. You’ll find a file named `config.php` where you can configure various settings like the base URL and encryption key. Review and customize these settings according to your project’s requirements.

4. Optional: .htaccess Configuration (for Apache)**: If you’re using Apache, you can enable clean URLs by creating or modifying the `.htaccess` file in your project’s root directory. An example `.htaccess` file is provided in the CodeIgniter distribution, and it helps remove `index.php` from your URLs for a cleaner look.

5. Testing the Installation: To check if CodeIgniter is installed correctly, open your web browser and navigate to the URL of your CodeIgniter project. You should see the default welcome page, indicating that CodeIgniter is up and running.

6. Begin Development: With CodeIgniter successfully installed, you can start building your web application. Create controllers, models, and views in the appropriate directories under the `application` folder and define your routes in the `routes.php` configuration file.

That’s it! You now have CodeIgniter installed and ready to use. You can leverage its powerful features and libraries to develop web applications efficiently. Remember to refer to the official documentation and community resources for more in-depth information and best practices as you embark on your CodeIgniter development journey.