CodeIgniter Callback not working

Question

I have checked all the questions of similar kind, and none of them are solving my problem, using CI 2.1.3, and HMVC from Wiredesignz.

I have in my form_validation.php config file the following rule:

array(
    'field' => 'eta-renpal-1',
    'label' => 'Renpal number (1)',
    'rules' => 'required|callback_check_eta_group'
),

And in my ETA controller, I have this function (currently set to ALWAYS be invalid while testing):

public function check_eta_group($reference)
{
    // Internal function for use by form validation system to check if the ETA group requirements are met.
    $this->form_validation->set_message('check_eta_group', 'Other values in the group ' . $reference . ' are also required.');
    return false;
}

For some reason, the "required" function works, but the callback does not. I have tried all other similar suggested solutions, and can't get them to work. Please help?

Edit: The callback does not appear to be called at all. I even did var_dump() in the callback to see if there is output on the screen - none...

Edit2:: See last comment by myself - using that work-around solves the problem, but it is not exactly what I wanted. So - if you have a better solution, please share :-)

Answer 1

See my last comment under the question

(Using a workaround explained here, stackoverflow.com/questions/3029717/…, it works. It is not the way I want it to work with callbacks, but as long as it works, it is probably alright. Thanks anyways.)

Thanks Frosty for your comments.

Answer 2

make sure your function checks are inside the same controller that you are actually running the custom checks in (i.e. it should be able to be called with self::check_eta_group)

I had trouble getting validation working with my checks inside of MY_Controller for instance. But when i moved them into the extended controller it worked fine.

here are two checks and how I called them (all within the same controller)

// custom form validators for datepicker and timepicker
public function date_valid($date){
    $month = (int) substr($date, 0, 2);
    $day = (int) substr($date, 3, 2);
    $year = (int) substr($date, 6, 4);

    $this->form_validation->set_message('date_valid', 'The %s field is not a valid date');
    return checkdate($month, $day, $year);
}

public function time_valid($time){
    $this->form_validation->set_message('time_valid', 'The %s field is not a valid time');      
    if (preg_match("/^(1[0-2]|0?[1-9]):[0-5][0-9] (AM|PM)$/i", $time)) {
        return TRUE;
    } else {
        return FALSE;
    }
}


public function create_custom(){

    // load models and libraries
    $this->load->helper(array('form', 'url'));      
    $this->load->library('form_validation');

    // set form validation rules
    $this->form_validation->set_rules('schedule_date', 'Schedule Date', 'required|callback_date_valid');
    $this->form_validation->set_rules('schedule_time', 'Schedule Time', 'required|callback_time_valid');

....

    if ($this->form_validation->run() == FALSE) { // failed validation
        error_log("validation_errors: ".validation_errors());
    }