Inserting NOW() into Database with CodeIgniter's Active Record

Question

I want to insert current time in database using mySQL function NOW() in Codeigniter's active record. The following query won't work:

$data = array(
        'name' => $name ,
        'email' => $email,
        'time' => NOW()
        );
        $this->db->insert('mytable', $data);

This is because CodeIgniter’s ActiveRecord class automatically escapes the input.

The following works fine, by calling set() and passing peratmeter FALSE, so that it doesn't escape the NOW().

$data = array(
        'name' => $name ,
        'email' => $email,
        );
        $this->db->set('time', 'NOW()', FALSE);
        $this->db->insert('mytable', $data);

However, my question is that is there any other way than this? For example, if i can use somehow use by adding everything in the data array only? For example, something like:

$data = array(
            'name' => $name ,
            'email' => $email,
            'time' => NOW(), FALSE
            );

Answer 1

I typically use triggers to handle timestamps but I think this may work.

$data = array(
    'name' => $name,
    'email' => $email
);

$this->db->set('time', 'NOW()', FALSE);
$this->db->insert('mytable', $data);