PHP stands for a Hypertext Pre-processor. PHP is a server-side scripting language designed specifically for web development. It is open-source which means it is free to download and use. It is very simple to learn and use. The files have the extension “.php”. Popular websites like Facebook, Yahoo, Wikipedia, etc, are developed using PHP.
PHP is so popular because it's very simple to learn, code and deploy on the server, hence it has been the first choice for beginners for decades.
Here are a few important things you must know about PHP:
• PHP is an Interpreted language; hence it doesn't need a compiler.
• To run and execute PHP code, we need a Web server on which PHP must be installed.
• PHP is a server-side scripting language, which means that PHP is executed on the server and the result is sent to the browser in plain HTML.
• PHP is open-source and free.
Syntax of PHP
<?php
PHP code goes here
?>
The benefit of using PHP
1. Easy and Simple to Learn
PHP is considered one of the easiest scripting languages Compared to other web languages. PHP doesn’t require manual or intensive studying. PHP syntax is logical and well-organized. Even command functions are easy to understand, as they tell the developer what function they perform.
As a result, web developers find it very easy to create and optimize the application.
2. Extremely Flexible
PHP is highly flexible. Flexibility in a scripting language is very crucial, as functionality can change anytime during the course of a project. The best part about PHP is the ability to make changes even after starting the project and this saves valuable time.
A developer does not have to write fresh codes or command functions, as changes to the existing codes and functions can be done and used.
3. Easy Integration and Compatibility
PHP is compatible with a large majority of operating systems. It can easily run-on different platforms, including UNIX, Linux. As it can be integrated without effort with other technologies, such as Java, existing software does not require re-development. This saves time and money.
4. Efficient Performance
Depending on how the web developer codes, PHP has the potential to turn into an efficient language. It is scalable when used for writing codes and can also be used for creating a large number of applications. It is the programming language of choice when a website has several web pages.
5. Cost-Efficient
PHP is an open-source web language, hence is completely free. There is no expense involved in purchasing expensive licenses or software. It can work efficiently with different databases, such as MySQL, Apache, and PostgreSQL. The cost of developing a website using PHP is minimal.
6. Gives Web Developer More Control
Compared to other programming languages, PHP allows the website developer to have more control. Other programming languages are bogged down by long, complicated scripts, but this isn’t true for PHP. A few simple lines of code are sufficient. Furthermore, PHP allows tags, and hence, website developers can add and/or mix HTML tags, making the content extremely dynamic.
List of the best PHP Framework
1)Laravel
2)Codelniter
3)Symphony
4)Phalcon
5)CakePHP
Laravel
Laravel is an open-source PHP framework, which is robust and easy to understand. It follows a model-view-controller design pattern. Laravel reuses the existing components of different frameworks which helps in creating a web application. The web application thus designed is more structured and pragmatic.
Use a framework that prides itself on elegant syntax
• Extend Laravel’s core functionality using add-ons
• Use built-in functions to handle routing, user management, caching, and plenty more
• Integrate Laravel with third-party libraries and platforms such as AWS
• Run tasks asynchronously in the background to improve performance
Pros of using Laravel
New features of PHP can be used
The biggest advantage of the Laravel framework over the others is that it utilizes all the new features of the PHP. Most of the other frameworks are unable to do it. Using the Laravel 5, you are able to use many new features that are provided by PHP like Interfaces, overloading, Shorter array syntax, Namespaces, Anonymous functions.
Great documentation
It is believed that Laravel is develop-friendly due to documentation. All the version of the Laravel is discharged with the proper documentation in which you are able to find good and detailed explanations of classes, coding style, methods.
Integration with mail services
The framework is equipped with API rather than the SwiftMailer library. It also provides the drivers SMTP, Mailgun, SparkPost, Mandrill, PHP’s “mail” function, Amazon SES, and “send email” which helps you in sending the emails through the local services or cloud-based.
Supports popular cache backends
One of the more adventitious features is that it supports Memcached and Redis out-of-the-box.
Artisan
It is very difficult to do repetitive programming tasks which are heavily time-consuming. Artisan is the command-line tool that helps in creating the skeleton code and runs the database system strongly.
Packages and resource availability
You can take advantage of npm packages and bower packages by connecting the framework with elixir and Gulp. It is very beneficially in resource and asset revisioning. Moreover, this combined with the composer will sort out dependencies and therefore it is the most stable source of the package in the PHP world.
A reduced product development cycle
As the integrations are faster it is possible to reduce the product development cycle. Also, you are provided with huge community support and have the assistance of Laracasts.
Cons of Laravel Framework
The Composer is not strong enough
As Laravel is a new framework, therefore it is difficult for developers to deal with it. Also, the composer of Laravel is not strong enough in comparison with Ruby gems, npm (node.js), pip
(for python), etc.
Lack of continuation between versions
No transition from Laravel 4 to 5 has seemed. It could break the application if you try to update the code.
Quality is mixed at times
There are some components in the framework which are not well-designed.
Some upgrades might be problematic
It is not only a Laravel problem but also PHP frameworks that show some troubles when the version is upgraded. So, the user has to take care of the precautions before updating the version.
Development
If we check the development of other frameworks, we found out that their development is quite faster in contrast with Laravel.
CodeIgniter
CodeIgniter is a commanding PHP framework. If we consider web applications with advanced features, then to create such an application Code igniter is one of the efficient PHP Frameworks. As it makes web applications always ready, learning becomes easier.
It is Derived from the Model-View-Controller (MVC) development pattern, it is a software approach to unscramble application logic and presentation by alienating from PHP scripting.
Features
• Use a lightweight framework built with performance in mind
• Get started quickly, thanks to the framework’s simplicity and excellent documentation
• Create scalable apps using the framework’s MVC-based architecture
Pros of using Codelniter
Lightweight
CodeIgniter is designed as a lightweight PHP framework. Not at all like other powerful PHP frameworks, it has a small footprint.
Easy to setup
Both beginners and experienced PHP developers can utilize CodeIgniter without putting in additional time and exertion. The unmistakable documentation and powerful community support additionally make it easier for PHP software developers to utilize CodeIgniter for the development of a variety of web applications.
Offers Modern Separation Concept
Dissimilar to other PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter does not force PHP developers to implement model-view-controller (MVC) design. Supports both Web Page and Database Caching. CodeIgniter additionally causes software developers to accelerate web applications by actualizing both page and database caching. It diminishes server load by enabling developers to store pages in their completely rendered state.
Bug Handling
It gives user-friendly and manageable interfaces which are very helpful in recognizing and handling errors globally throughout the application. You will receive bug handling directions and debugging information. It will show all the errors of PHP in your application.
Cons of CodeIgniter
Requires Exhaustive Libraries
CodeIgniter more stimulates custom web application development by implementing a number of libraries. It will allow developers to install only the libraries required by the web application. The programmers can also increase and customize the primary libraries easily by extending the native classes.
Symfony
Symfony is highly flexible. It features a bundle and component system that enables you to cherry-pick the PHP functions you need, or simply use the entire framework. the framework also includes built-in testing functionality. However, applications built using Symfony often don’t have the best performance as well as the framework has offered a very steep learning curve
Features
• Use a highly flexible framework that enables you to set up individual components
• Take advantage of the framework’s built-in testing functionality
• Learn how to use the platform through its excellent documentation
Pros of using Symphony
Deployment
Symphony CMS use PHP/MySQL so it is pretty cheap and easy to find a good hosting solution
User Interface
The admin dashboard is very clean and straightforward, plus it allows you to make some modifications to the website online.
Data sources
As Symphony is based on Xslt, virtually any XML feed can be parsed very easily into the website. I use this to integrate my Tumblr and other blogs directly into my main layout
Community
People working on Symphony are very active so the forum is a very good place to ask questions and be answered quickly.
Cons of using Symphony
It requires LoRa chipsets and symphony link software which adds dependency.
Phalcon
Phalcon is a bit of an oddity when it comes to PHP frameworks. Its source code is written in C, so it’s basically a C extension of PHP. When it comes to performance, Phalcon lives up to its name, and it consistently delivers results that are near the top of the pack. Phalcon is also very light on resources, and it uses an MVC architecture.
Features
• Use a PHP framework that’s based on C
• Take advantage of Phalcon’s fantastic performance and low resource overhead
• Use only the modules and libraries you need
Pros of Phalcon
• Low-level architecture.
• One-time load of Zephir, C extensions, and PHP.
• Code is compiled rather than interpreted, so it is faster.
• Memory resident, meaning that it can be called upon whenever it’s needed.
• Does not use file reads and file stats, unlike most other PHP frameworks, resulting in improved performance.
Cons of Phalcon
• Many developers are still not aware of the existence of Phalcon
• Cannot run on shared hosting
CakePHP
CakePHP was the first PHP MVC framework to hit the market. CakePHP has improved in performance over time and added lots of new components. However, where CakePHP really shines is in the way it approaches convention in coding.
Features
• Take advantage of a broad set of components
• Use CakePHP’s conventions to code projects faster
Pros of CakePHP
The MVC Design
CakePHP depends on the Model-View-Control model which distinguishes the business judgment from the data presentation coating. Models join the database with queries and save the information right in the database. Views show content in a viewable set-up to the end-user while controllers develop the data earlier it interacts with the database or even model.
Object Relational Mapping
The Data is saved in the table’s form which is further showed throughout classes. Links can be defined between various tables with the help of the classes. Additionally, justification definition and callbacks can also be preshow in this setup. CakePHP directly assists ORM technique thus integrates the speciation of an object learning programming language.
Reusability of the Code is Possible
CakePHP permits the practice of prewritten code into various which saves a good amount of time required for the development. Thus, developers don’t require focusing on the writing thus they can focus on the reasonable and imaginative part of the project instead of writing code. One can easily select chunks of code and integrated them into the plans.
Zero Configurations
CakePHP needs zero configurations before developers can begin using it. The majority of the specifications and settings are auto-detected therefore developers are not necessary to arrange any settings as compared to the database connection sets.
Integral Validation
CakePHP provides built-in validation species that are quite easy yet helpful. Developers can connect several validation rules to only file and achieved advanced justification functionality.
CRUD Scaffolding
CakePHP provides CRUD functionality which helps simple management of data. It helps you to Read, Update, Create, and Delete the different entities in the system. The majority of the database management concerns are answered by executing CRUD in this framework. Developers can quickly constrict and store data and find aid from the CakePHP development area whenever they wish.
Open-Source Platform and Supports PHP
CakePHP is an open-source web development platform and assists PHP for web application development. It helps PHP developers to make highly strong and affordable websites.
Cons of CakePHP
• One-way routing in CakePHP frequently supposed to be a drawback when compared with frameworks that include Ruby on Rails.
• It is difficult to learn.
Conclusion
There are many programming languages but PHP is one of the most popular and open-source languages. PHP frameworks are designed to simplify the development process and reduce the work required in creating wonderful applications. Every framework has its own pros and cons. Choose the best framework will depend on the requirements of the project you are working on and your prerequisites on factors such as security, scalability, ease of use, and more.
Top comments (2)
Thanks for this comprehensive overview of PHP and its frameworks! It's clear that PHP remains a powerful and versatile language for web development. I'm particularly interested in the section about Laravel and its ability to utilize new PHP features and provide extensive documentation. Could you share more about the transition challenges between Laravel versions? Additionally, your insights on the pros and cons of different PHP frameworks, are valuable for making an informed decision on which one to use for various projects. It was a good read for top PHP framework.
Why are you talking about Symphony Pros and Cons inside the Symfony block ?
Symfony and Symphony CMS are not the same. You are mixing two completely different things :)