Top 8 PHP Frameworks Every Developer Should Know (2024)
PHP frameworks are essential tools for web developers, offering structured and efficient ways to build web applications.
Here are 8 popular PHP frameworks that developers should be familiar with:
1. Laravel:
Renowned for its elegant syntax and robust features, Laravel simplifies complex tasks like authentication, routing, caching, and more. Its ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) called Eloquent streamlines database operations by providing a simple syntax. Know More https://laravel.com/
- Installation: Use Composer, PHP’s package manager, to install Laravel globally. Run
composer global require laravel/installer. Then, create a new Laravel project usinglaravel new project-name. - Features: Laravel provides a robust ecosystem with features like an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) called Eloquent, a powerful routing system, Blade templating engine, middleware support, authentication, and a command-line interface called Artisan.
- Benefits: Its elegant syntax, convenient shortcuts, and comprehensive documentation make it great for rapid application development. Laravel’s community support and a vast array of packages via Composer are other advantages.
2. Symfony:
Known for its modularity and flexibility, Symfony offers reusable PHP components and a high level of configurability. It encourages best practices like code reusability and follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern. Know more https://symfony.com/
- Installation: Install Symfony via Composer using
composer create-project symfony/skeleton project-name. You can also use Symfony’s Flex, a Composer plugin, to manage applications. - Features: Symfony follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern and offers reusable PHP components that can be used independently in other projects. It includes a powerful set of tools like Symfony Console, Twig templating engine, Doctrine ORM, and Symfony Forms.
- Benefits: Symfony is highly customizable, making it suitable for both small and large-scale applications. It focuses on stability, performance, and flexibility, with excellent documentation and a supportive community.
3. CodeIgniter:
Known for its lightweight and straightforward approach, CodeIgniter is suitable for rapid development. It’s well-documented and has a small footprint, making it a great choice for beginners. Know more https://www.codeigniter.com/
- Installation: Download the latest version from the official website or install via Composer using
composer create-project codeigniter4/appstarter project-name. - Features: CodeIgniter is known for its lightweight footprint, speed, and simplicity. It provides a small footprint with a straightforward MVC framework, database abstraction, security features, and helpers for tasks like form creation and data encryption.
- Benefits: It’s beginner-friendly due to its simplicity and clear documentation. CodeIgniter is suitable for small to medium-sized projects that require a quick setup and performance.
4. Yii:
Yiiis known for its performance and security features. It’s designed to work well with AJAX and other web technologies. Yii provides features like scaffolding, which automates code generation. Know More https://www.yiiframework.com/
- Installation: Use Composer to install Yii by running
composer create-project yiisoft/yii2-app-basic project-name. - Features: Yii is a high-performance PHP framework best known for its fast execution speed. It supports MVC, DAO/ActiveRecord, caching, authentication, and scaffolding for CRUD operations. Yii also includes Gii, a powerful code-generation tool.
- Benefits: Yii’s performance, security features, and built-in tools for rapid development make it a good choice for large-scale applications requiring high performance.
5. CakePHP:
CakePHPemphasizes convention over configuration, reducing the need for boilerplate code. It’s beginner-friendly and supports both MVC and ORM. Know more https://cakephp.org/
- Installation: Use Composer to install CakePHP by running
composer create-project --prefer-dist cakephp/app project-name. - Features: CakePHP simplifies development with conventions over configurations. It includes built-in features like ORM, scaffolding, built-in validation, and a powerful set of libraries. It follows the MVC pattern and emphasizes rapid development.
- Benefits: CakePHP’s convention-over-configuration approach reduces the need for boilerplate code. It’s suitable for both small and large-scale applications, offering security features, scalability, and a helpful community.
6. Zend Framework (Laminas):
Zend Framework, now known as Laminas, offers a collection of PHP packages for building web applications. It’s highly customizable and supports a range of databases and third-party libraries. Know more https://framework.zend.com/
- Starting with Laminas:
- Install Laminas via Composer.
- Set up your project structure following Laminas’ guidelines.
- Utilize Laminas’ components based on your project’s requirements.
7. Phalcon:
Phalconis known for its speed as it’s written in C and installed as a PHP extension. It offers a full-stack framework and is suitable for high-performance applications. Know more https://phalcon.io/en-us
- Getting started with Phalcon:
- Download and install Phalcon’s extension.
- Follow Phalcon’s documentation to set up your project.
- Leverage Phalcon’s features like its ORM and caching mechanisms.
8. Slim:
Slimis a micro-framework suitable for building small web applications and APIs. It’s minimalistic and focuses on simplicity and speed. Know more https://www.slimframework.com/
- Starting with Slim:
- Install Slim via Composer.
- Set up routes and middleware using Slim’s intuitive syntax.
- Build your application by defining endpoints and handling requests.
Each framework has its strengths, and choosing the right one depends on the project requirements, familiarity, community support, scalability needs, and development speed. Learning these frameworks equips developers with diverse tools and approaches for building robust PHP applications.
Understanding these PHP frameworks and their unique features empowers developers to choose the best tool for specific project requirements, ensuring efficient and scalable development.
