# Core\_helper

Class Core\_helper in PHPFast provides several **utility functions** to manage helpers, system configurations, server information, and environment variables in a PHP application.

Functions Helper in Core

## `load_helpers()`

Loads helper files dynamically from either the **system** or **application** directories.

```php
function load_helpers(array $helpers = []) {
```

How It Works:

* Uses a global variable `$fast_helpers` to track loaded helpers.
* Checks if the helper is **already loaded** to avoid redundant imports.
* Searches for the helper file in:
  * `ROOT_PATH/system/Helpers/`
  * `ROOT_PATH/application/Helpers/`
* If the file exists, it is **included (`require_once`)**, otherwise, it throws an **exception**.

Example:

```php
load_helpers(['form', 'url']); // Loads form_helper.php and url_helper.php
```

## `DateTime()`

Returns the **current date and time** in the `YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS` format.

```php
function DateTime() {
    return date('Y-m-d H:i:s');
}
```

Example:

```php
echo DateTime(); 
// Output: 2025-03-01 12:34:56
```

## `version_php()`

Returns the **current PHP version**.

Example:

```php
echo version_php(); 
// Output: 8.3.16
```

## `dir_writable()`

* Checks if a given **directory exists and is writable**.
* Returns `true` if writable, otherwise `false`.

Example:

```php
echo dir_writable('/writable/uploads') ? "Writable" : "Not Writable";
```

## `server_info()`

* Returns **an array of server information**, including:
  * PHP version
  * Web server software
  * Document root
  * Server name
  * Server protocol

Example:

```php
[
    [php_version] => 8.3.16
    [server_software] => nginx/1.27.3
    [document_root] => C:/laragon/www/cms/public
    [server_name] => cms.test
    [server_protocol] => HTTP/1.1
]
```

## `random_string()`

Generates a **random alphanumeric string** of the specified length.

```php
function random_string($length = 10) {}
```

Example:

```php
echo random_string(12); 
// Output: A1b2C3d4E5F6
```

## `config()`

Loads **configuration values** from a specified file.

```php
function config($key = '', $file = 'Config') {}
```

* Reads the `/application/Config/Config.php` file and returns the requested setting.
* Uses a static `$config` array to **cache values for performance**.

Example:

```php
$siteName = config('site_name'); // Loads the site_name from Config.php.
```

## `option()`

* Retrieves an **option value** from the `Options.php` config file or from the **database**.
* If the key is not found in the file, it **queries the database** for the value.

```php
function option($key, $lang = LANG) {}
```

Example:

```php
$siteTitle = option('site_title');
// Gets the site title from the options table or configuration file.
```

## `option_set()`

* Updates an **option value** in the configuration file (`Options.php`).
* Supports **multi-language values** if `$lang` is specified.

```php
function option_set($key, $value, $lang = '') {}
```

* Loads the `Options.php` file.
* Updates the key-value pair.
* Saves the new values back to the file.

Example:

```php
option_set('site_title', 'PHPFast site');
// Updates the site_title value in Options.php.

echo option('site_title');
// Ouput: PHPFast site
```

## `env()`

Retrieves **environment variables** from the system or `.env` file.

```php
function env($key, $default = null) {}
```

* First, checks if the value **exists in cache** (`$env_cache`).
* If not found, retrieves it using `getenv()`.
* Cleans the value to prevent security issues (`htmlspecialchars`).
* Converts **"true", "false", "null"** strings into actual boolean values.

Example:

```php
$dbHost = env('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
// Retrieves the database host from environment variables.
```

## `_bytes()`

Converts a **storage unit string** (e.g., `2G`, `512M`, `128K`) into **bytes**.

```php
function _bytes($size) {}
```

* Extracts the **unit** (G, M, K).
* Converts it into bytes accordingly.

Example:

```php
echo _bytes('2G'); 
// Output: 2147483648
```

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="242"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Function</strong></td><td><strong>Purpose</strong></td></tr><tr><td><code>load_helpers()</code></td><td>Load helper files dynamically.</td></tr><tr><td><code>DateTime()</code></td><td>Get the current date and time.</td></tr><tr><td><code>version_php()</code></td><td>Retrieve the PHP version.</td></tr><tr><td><code>dir_writable()</code></td><td>Check if a directory is writable.</td></tr><tr><td><code>server_info()</code></td><td>Get server details (PHP version, web server, etc.).</td></tr><tr><td><code>random_string()</code></td><td>Generate a random alphanumeric string.</td></tr><tr><td><code>config()</code></td><td>Retrieve system configuration settings.</td></tr><tr><td><code>option()</code></td><td>Fetch system options from a file or database.</td></tr><tr><td><code>option_set()</code></td><td>Update an option value in <code>Options.php</code>.</td></tr><tr><td><code>env()</code></td><td>Retrieve environment variables from <code>.env</code> or system.</td></tr><tr><td><code>_bytes()</code></td><td>Convert storage units (G, M, K) to bytes.</td></tr></tbody></table>


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