Adding array to a model file in Codeigniter - php

Question

I have the following array in my view file (which works):
<?php
$images = array(img("slideshow/demo1.png", "one"),img("slideshow/demo2.png", "two"),img("slideshow/demo4.png", "three"));
$captions = array("first image", "second image", "third image");
foreach (array_combine($images, $captions) as $image => $caption ) {
echo "<li>", $image, "<div class=\"orbit-caption\">",$caption,"</div></li>";
}
?>
However I wish to use the same foreach in a slideshow file across multiple pages with different images displaying so i thought the simplest way would be to create a model page for each page that required different data and having the images and captions in an array as above. I have tried searching how to do this but all the solutions I have found relate to being in a database which is unfortunately not an option.
Also I would like to code it so that if there is not image caption the caption code does not run ie:
"<div class=\"orbit-caption\">",$caption,"</div>
The options I have tried either I get a blank semi transparent box ie it puts down:
<div class="orbit-caption"></div>
Or I getting nothing if I have a caption or not.
I understand a small amount of php but am more of a designer and am fairly new to MVC so will not be offended if anyone has a solution in an idiots guide :) just trying to learn. If anyone has a better solution then please share

Answer 1

Create a helper in application/helpers folder and name it slideshow_helper.php, Now, in slideshow_helper.php write :
<?php
function get_image_array(){
$images = array(img("slideshow/demo1.png", "one"),img("slideshow/demo2.png", "two"),img("slideshow/demo4.png", "three"));
$captions = array("first image", "second image", "third image");
return array_combine($images, $captions);
}
?>
In your controller function from where you load the view for slideshow page, write:
<?php
$data = array();
$this->load->helper('slideshow');
$data['slideshow'] = get_image_array(); #will return the image array from the helper
$this->load->view('view', $data); #load the image array in the view
?>
In your View:
<?php
foreach ($image as $imageSrc => $caption ) {
if($caption != ""){
echo "<li>", $imageSrc, "<div class=\"orbit-caption\">",$caption,"</div></li>";
}
}
?>