Is there a way to have a Codeigniter controller return an image?

Question

I was wondering if there was a way for a controller to, instead of returning a string, or a view, return an image (be it JPG, PNG etc). For example, instead of ending with a $this->load->view('folder/special_view.php), I'd like to do something like $this->load->image('images/gorilla.png'), and have it so if my user were to go to that controller they would see an image as if they'd gone to a normal .png or jpeg. Can I set the headers so it expects a different MIME? Example code of this would be fantastic.

It would take forever for me to explain why I need this, but it involves bringing a premade CMS into codeigniter, and having it need certian things to be true. Thank you so much!

Answer 1

sure you can, use this instead of $this->load->view()

$filename="/path/to/file.jpg"; //<-- specify the image  file
if(file_exists($filename)){ 
  $mime = mime_content_type($filename); //<-- detect file type
  header('Content-Length: '.filesize($filename)); //<-- sends filesize header
  header("Content-Type: $mime"); //<-- send mime-type header
  header('Content-Disposition: inline; filename="'.$filename.'";'); //<-- sends filename header
  readfile($filename); //<--reads and outputs the file onto the output buffer
  exit(); // or die()
}