Grouping WHERE clauses in Codeigniter

I want to produce the following SQL code using Active Records in Codeigniter:

WHERE name != 'Joe' AND (age < 69 OR id > 50)

Doing the following seems to be as far as I can get, I cant figure out how to group them

$this->db->select()->from('users')->where('name !=', 'Joe')->where('age <', 69)->or_where('id <', $id); 

Any ideas? My SQL query is too complex so I dont wish to rewrite everything in traditional SQL.

UPDATE

My SQL code is dynamically generated depending on the values of certain parameters passed into the model method. The problem with not being able to use parenthesis causes a problem because the operator precedence is such that AND is evaluated first before OR.

*Here is a chunk of my active records code, where there are some other code before and after it:

            ... some $this->db->where() ...
            ... some $this->db->where() ...

    if($price_range) {
        $price_array = explode('.', $price_range);
        for($i = 0; $i < count($price_array); $i++) {
            if($i == 0) {
                $this->db->where('places.price_range', $price_array[$i]);
            } else {
                $this->db->or_where('places.price_range', $price_array[$i]);
            }
        }

    }

            ... some $this->db->where() ...
            ... some $this->db->where() ...

The problem comes because I am using $this->db->or_where() which introduces a OR clause that throws the operator precedence into disarray without being able to use ( ) to change the order.

** Is there any way to solve this? **

Solution 1:

In Codeigniter 3.0.3 you can do it simple like this :

$this->db->select()
  ->from('users')
  ->where('name !=', 'Joe')
  ->group_start() // Open bracket
  ->where('age <', 69)
  ->or_where('id <', $id)
  ->group_end(); // Close bracket

Perhaps it can help

Solution 2:

You can use one large string.

$this->db->select()->from('users')->where("name != 'Joe' AND (age < 69 OR id > 50) ");

Solution 3:

The grouping of where clauses is not in CI by default. You have to extend the core and add in the ability. I have done so by doing something as follows:

class MY_DB_mysql_driver extends CI_DB_mysql_driver 
{       
    public function __construct($params) 
    {
    parent::__construct($params);
    }
    /** 
     * This function will allow you to do complex group where clauses in to c and (a AND b) or ( d and e)
     * This function is needed as else the where clause will append an automatic AND in front of each where Thus if you wanted to do something
     * like a AND ((b AND c) OR (d AND e)) you won't be able to as the where would insert it as a AND (AND (b...)) which is incorrect. 
     * Usage: start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where() or complex queries like
     *        open_bracket()->start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where()
     *        ->start_group_where(key,value,'','OR')->close_group_where()->close_bracket() would produce AND ((a AND b) OR (d))
     * @param $key mixed the table columns prefix.columnname
     * @param $value mixed the value of the key
     * @param $escape string any escape as per CI
     * @param $type the TYPE of query. By default it is set to 'AND' 
     * @return db object.  
     */
    function start_group_where($key,$value=NULL,$escape,$type="AND")
    {
        $this->open_bracket($type); 
        return parent::_where($key, $value,'',$escape); 
    }

    /**
     * Strictly used to have a consistent close function as the start_group_where. This essentially callse the close_bracket() function. 
     */
    function close_group_where()
    {
        return $this->close_bracket();  
    }

    /**
     * Allows to place a simple ( in a query and prepend it with the $type if needed. 
     * @param $type string add a ( to a query and prepend it with type. Default is $type. 
     * @param $return db object. 
     */
    function open_bracket($type="AND")
    {
        $this->ar_where[] = $type . " (";
        return $this;  
    }   

    /**
     * Allows to place a simple ) to a query. 
     */
    function close_bracket()
    {
        $this->ar_where[] = ")"; 
        return $this;       
    }
}

Usage:

group_where_start(key,value)->where(key,value)->group_where_close() 

or

complex queries like

open_bracket()->start_group_where(key,value)->where(key,value)->close_group_where()->start_group_where(key,value,'','OR')->close_group_where()->close_bracket() would produce AND ((a AND b) OR (d))