Grouping WHERE clauses in Codeigniter

Question

I want to produce the following SQL code using Active Records in Codeigniter:

WHERE name != \'Joe\' AND (age < 69 OR id > 50)

Doing t

Answer 1

Solved. Dynamically generate the SQL query and plug it into $this->db->where(). Thanks guys!

Answer 2

You can use one large string.

$this->db->select()->from('users')->where("name != 'Joe' AND (age < 69 OR id > 50) ");

Answer 3

In Codeigniter 3.0.3 you can do it simple like this :

$this->db->select()
  ->from('users')
  ->where('name !=', 'Joe')
  ->group_start() // Open bracket
  ->where('age <', 69)
  ->or_where('id <', $id)
  ->group_end(); // Close bracket

Perhaps it can help

Answer 4

What I've done is duplicate the and clause after the where, which is effectively the same as the long string selection.

$this->db->select()
  ->from('users')
  ->where('name !=', 'Joe')
  ->where('age <', 69)
  ->or_where('id <', $id)
  ->where('name !=', 'Joe');

The one large string way is probably better.

Answer 5

The grouping of where clauses is not in CI by default. You have to extend the core and add in the ability. I have done so by doing something as follows:

class MY_DB_mysql_driver extends CI_DB_mysql_driver 
{       
    public function __construct($params) 
    {
    parent::__construct($params);
    }
    /** 
     * This function will allow you to do complex group where clauses in to c and (a AND b) or ( d and e)
     * This function is needed as else the where clause will append an automatic AND in front of each where Thus if you wanted to do something
     * like a AND ((b AND c) OR (d AND e)) you won't be able to as the where would insert it as a AND (AND (b...)) which is incorrect. 
     * Usage: start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where() or complex queries like
     *        open_bracket()->start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where()
     *        ->start_group_where(key,value,'','OR')->close_group_where()->close_bracket() would produce AND ((a AND b) OR (d))
     * @param $key mixed the table columns prefix.columnname
     * @param $value mixed the value of the key
     * @param $escape string any escape as per CI
     * @param $type the TYPE of query. By default it is set to 'AND' 
     * @return db object.  
     */
    function start_group_where($key,$value=NULL,$escape,$type="AND")
    {
        $this->open_bracket($type); 
        return parent::_where($key, $value,'',$escape); 
    }

    /**
     * Strictly used to have a consistent close function as the start_group_where. This essentially callse the close_bracket() function. 
     */
    function close_group_where()
    {
        return $this->close_bracket();  
    }

    /**
     * Allows to place a simple ( in a query and prepend it with the $type if needed. 
     * @param $type string add a ( to a query and prepend it with type. Default is $type. 
     * @param $return db object. 
     */
    function open_bracket($type="AND")
    {
        $this->ar_where[] = $type . " (";
        return $this;  
    }   

    /**
     * Allows to place a simple ) to a query. 
     */
    function close_bracket()
    {
        $this->ar_where[] = ")"; 
        return $this;       
    }
}

Usage:

group_where_start(key,value)->where(key,value)->group_where_close() 

or

complex queries like

open_bracket()->start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where()->start_group_where(key,value,'','OR')->close_group_where()->close_bracket() would produce AND ((a AND b) OR (d))

Answer 6

CI3 has all you need!

$this->db->select('*')->from('my_table')
        ->group_start()
                ->where('a', 'a')
                ->or_group_start()
                        ->where('b', 'b')
                        ->where('c', 'c')
                ->group_end()
        ->group_end()
        ->where('d', 'd')
->get();

https://www.codeigniter.com/userguide3/database/query_builder.html#query-grouping