How to check if a value already exists in the database with codeigniter

Question

I found this line: $this->form_validation->set_rules(); But I have no idea where to use it. it seems complicated and everywhere its mentioned its about 'username' and 'password' fields. I have a variable called 'utr' which I am POSTing to the same page with ajax submit, now I want to to check if it is a unique value that is submitted on form submit and not already in my database. The table name is 'orders' and the column name is 'utr'. Thank you.

Answer 1

You can check any value which is already exist in database try this code:

utr is the name which is send by form and is_unique validate table.coulmn in database.

$this->form_validation->set_rules(
        'utr', 'UTR Title',
        'required|is_unique[orders.utr]',
        array(
                'required'      => 'You have not provided %s.',
                'is_unique'     => 'This %s already exists.'
        )
);