codeigniter instance of model class

The model classes in CI are not quite the same thing as model classes in other syntax's. In most cases, models will actually be some form of plain object with a database layer which interacts with it. With CI, on the other hand, Model represents the database layer interface which returns generic objects (they're kinda like arrays in some ways). I know, I feel lied to too.

So, if you want to make your Model return something which is not a stdClass, you need to wrap the database call.

So, here's what I would do:

Create a user_model_helper which has your model class:

class User_model {    private $id;    public function __construct( stdClass $val )    {        $this->id = $val->id;         /* ... */        /*          The stdClass provided by CI will have one property per db column.          So, if you have the columns id, first_name, last_name the value the           db will return will have a first_name, last_name, and id properties.          Here is where you would do something with those.        */    }}

In usermanager.php:

class Usermanager extends CI_Model {     public function __construct()     {          /* whatever you had before; */          $CI =& get_instance(); // use get_instance, it is less prone to failure                                 // in this context.          $CI->load->helper("user_model_helper");     }     public function by_id( $id )     {           $q = $this->db->from('users')->where('id', $id)->limit(1)->get();           return new User_model( $q->result() );     }}

Use abstract factory pattern or even Data access object pattern which does the job that you require.

class User extend CI_Model {    function by_id($id) {        $this->db->select('*')->from('users')->where('id', $id)->limit(1);        // Your additional code goes here        // ...        return $user_data;    }}class Home extend CI_Controller{    function index()    {        $this->load->model('user');        $data = $this->user->by_id($id);    }}