Is there a way to have a Codeigniter controller return an image?

Question

I was wondering if there was a way for a controller to, instead of returning a string, or a view, return an image (be it JPG, PNG etc). For example, instead of ending with a $t

Answer 1

sure you can, use this instead of $this->load->view()

$filename="/path/to/file.jpg"; //<-- specify the image  file
if(file_exists($filename)){ 
  $mime = mime_content_type($filename); //<-- detect file type
  header('Content-Length: '.filesize($filename)); //<-- sends filesize header
  header("Content-Type: $mime"); //<-- send mime-type header
  header('Content-Disposition: inline; filename="'.$filename.'";'); //<-- sends filename header
  readfile($filename); //<--reads and outputs the file onto the output buffer
  die(); //<--cleanup
  exit; //and exit
}