Top Related Projects
The Symfony PHP framework
CakePHP: The Rapid Development Framework for PHP - Official Repository
Yii 2: The Fast, Secure and Professional PHP Framework
Open Source PHP Framework (originally from EllisLab)
Slim is a PHP micro framework that helps you quickly write simple yet powerful web applications and APIs.
Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.
Quick Overview
Laravel Framework is a popular PHP web application framework known for its elegant syntax and robust features. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and libraries for building modern web applications, emphasizing developer productivity and code readability.
Pros
- Expressive and elegant syntax, making code more readable and maintainable
- Extensive ecosystem with a wide range of packages and tools
- Built-in features like ORM, routing, and authentication simplify development
- Strong community support and regular updates
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to some other PHP frameworks
- Can be overkill for small, simple projects
- Performance may be slightly slower compared to lightweight frameworks
- Frequent updates can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with third-party packages
Code Examples
- Defining a route:
Route::get('/hello/{name}', function ($name) {
return "Hello, $name!";
});
This code defines a route that responds to GET requests and includes a dynamic parameter.
- Creating a model and migration:
php artisan make:model Post -m
This command creates a Post model and a corresponding database migration file.
- Querying the database using Eloquent ORM:
$posts = Post::where('published', true)
->orderBy('created_at', 'desc')
->take(5)
->get();
This code retrieves the 5 most recent published posts from the database.
Getting Started
- Install Laravel via Composer:
composer create-project laravel/laravel example-app
- Navigate to the project directory:
cd example-app
- Start the development server:
php artisan serve
- Visit
http://localhost:8000
in your browser to see the Laravel welcome page.
Competitor Comparisons
The Symfony PHP framework
Pros of Symfony
- More modular and decoupled architecture, allowing for greater flexibility and customization
- Stronger adherence to software design principles and patterns, promoting cleaner and more maintainable code
- Extensive documentation and a well-organized learning resource center
Cons of Symfony
- Steeper learning curve due to its more complex architecture and concepts
- Smaller community compared to Laravel, potentially resulting in fewer third-party packages and resources
- Can be slower in development speed for simpler applications due to its more structured approach
Code Comparison
Symfony route definition:
/**
* @Route("/hello/{name}", name="hello")
*/
public function hello($name)
{
return new Response("Hello, " . $name);
}
Laravel route definition:
Route::get('/hello/{name}', function ($name) {
return "Hello, " . $name;
});
Both frameworks offer powerful routing capabilities, but Laravel's syntax is generally more concise and intuitive for beginners. Symfony's approach, while more verbose, provides additional flexibility and control over route definitions.
CakePHP: The Rapid Development Framework for PHP - Official Repository
Pros of CakePHP
- Simpler learning curve, especially for developers familiar with PHP
- Built-in security features, including CSRF protection and SQL injection prevention
- Extensive built-in validation rules for form inputs
Cons of CakePHP
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Laravel
- Less flexibility in terms of customization and configuration
- Slower adoption of modern PHP features and practices
Code Comparison
CakePHP controller example:
class ArticlesController extends AppController
{
public function index()
{
$articles = $this->Articles->find('all');
$this->set(compact('articles'));
}
}
Laravel controller example:
class ArticleController extends Controller
{
public function index()
{
$articles = Article::all();
return view('articles.index', compact('articles'));
}
}
Both frameworks follow the MVC pattern, but Laravel's syntax is often considered more elegant and expressive. CakePHP's approach is more traditional and may feel familiar to developers coming from other PHP frameworks.
While CakePHP offers a solid foundation for rapid development with its conventions and built-in features, Laravel provides a more modern and flexible ecosystem with a larger community and more extensive third-party package support.
Yii 2: The Fast, Secure and Professional PHP Framework
Pros of Yii2
- Faster performance and lower memory usage
- More extensive built-in security features
- Simpler learning curve for developers familiar with traditional MVC frameworks
Cons of Yii2
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Laravel
- Less frequent updates and slower adoption of new PHP features
- More rigid structure, which can limit flexibility in some cases
Code Comparison
Yii2 routing:
'rules' => [
'post/<id:\d+>' => 'post/view',
'posts/<tag>' => 'post/index',
],
Laravel routing:
Route::get('post/{id}', 'PostController@view');
Route::get('posts/{tag}', 'PostController@index');
Both frameworks offer powerful routing capabilities, but Laravel's syntax is often considered more intuitive and expressive. Yii2's routing configuration is typically done in a centralized file, while Laravel allows for more modular route definitions.
Yii2 and Laravel are both popular PHP frameworks with their own strengths. Yii2 excels in performance and security, making it suitable for enterprise applications. Laravel, on the other hand, offers a more extensive ecosystem and a gentler learning curve for newcomers to modern PHP development. The choice between the two often depends on specific project requirements and developer preferences.
Open Source PHP Framework (originally from EllisLab)
Pros of CodeIgniter4
- Lightweight and faster performance
- Simpler learning curve for beginners
- Minimal configuration required
Cons of CodeIgniter4
- Smaller ecosystem and fewer third-party packages
- Less built-in functionality compared to Laravel
- Limited support for modern PHP features
Code Comparison
CodeIgniter4 routing:
$routes->get('users', 'UserController::index');
$routes->post('users', 'UserController::create');
$routes->get('users/(:num)', 'UserController::show/$1');
Laravel routing:
Route::get('users', [UserController::class, 'index']);
Route::post('users', [UserController::class, 'create']);
Route::get('users/{id}', [UserController::class, 'show']);
Both frameworks use similar routing syntax, but Laravel's approach is more modern and flexible. CodeIgniter4's routing is simpler and more straightforward, which can be beneficial for smaller projects or developers new to PHP frameworks.
Laravel offers a more robust set of features out of the box, including an ORM, authentication system, and job queues. CodeIgniter4, while lighter, requires more manual setup for advanced functionality.
Overall, CodeIgniter4 is suitable for simpler projects and developers who prefer a lightweight framework, while Laravel is better suited for larger, more complex applications that require extensive features and scalability.
Slim is a PHP micro framework that helps you quickly write simple yet powerful web applications and APIs.
Pros of Slim
- Lightweight and minimalistic, ideal for small to medium-sized projects
- Faster learning curve and easier to get started with
- More flexibility in choosing components and libraries
Cons of Slim
- Less built-in functionality and features compared to Laravel
- Smaller ecosystem and community support
- Requires more manual configuration and setup for complex applications
Code Comparison
Slim route definition:
$app->get('/hello/{name}', function (Request $request, Response $response, array $args) {
$name = $args['name'];
$response->getBody()->write("Hello, $name");
return $response;
});
Laravel route definition:
Route::get('/hello/{name}', function ($name) {
return "Hello, $name";
});
Both frameworks use similar routing syntax, but Laravel's implementation is more concise. Slim requires explicit handling of request and response objects, while Laravel abstracts these details away.
Slim is best suited for developers who prefer a minimalist approach and want more control over their application's structure. Laravel, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive set of tools and features out of the box, making it ideal for larger, more complex projects that benefit from its extensive ecosystem and conventions.
Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.
Pros of Express
- Lightweight and minimalist, allowing for greater flexibility and customization
- Faster execution and lower memory usage due to its simplicity
- Easier to learn and get started with for beginners
Cons of Express
- Less built-in functionality, requiring more manual setup and configuration
- Lack of standardized structure, potentially leading to inconsistent code organization
- Fewer out-of-the-box features for common web development tasks
Code Comparison
Express route handling:
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello World!');
});
Laravel route handling:
Route::get('/', function () {
return 'Hello World!';
});
Both frameworks offer simple and intuitive routing, but Laravel provides a more structured approach with additional features like middleware and route groups built-in.
Express focuses on simplicity and flexibility, allowing developers to choose their preferred tools and libraries. Laravel, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive ecosystem with built-in features for authentication, database management, and more.
While Express excels in performance and customization, Laravel provides a more opinionated structure and a wider range of built-in functionalities, making it potentially more suitable for larger, complex applications.
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About Laravel
Note: This repository contains the core code of the Laravel framework. If you want to build an application using Laravel, visit the main Laravel repository.
Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. We believe development must be an enjoyable, creative experience to be truly fulfilling. Laravel attempts to take the pain out of development by easing common tasks used in the majority of web projects, such as:
- Simple, fast routing engine.
- Powerful dependency injection container.
- Multiple back-ends for session and cache storage.
- Database agnostic schema migrations.
- Robust background job processing.
- Real-time event broadcasting.
Laravel is accessible, yet powerful, providing tools needed for large, robust applications. A superb combination of simplicity, elegance, and innovation gives you a complete toolset required to build any application with which you are tasked.
Learning Laravel
Laravel has the most extensive and thorough documentation and video tutorial library of any modern web application framework. The Laravel documentation is in-depth and complete, making it a breeze to get started learning the framework.
You may also try the Laravel Bootcamp, where you will be guided through building a modern Laravel application from scratch.
If you're not in the mood to read, Laracasts contains thousands of video tutorials covering a range of topics including Laravel, modern PHP, unit testing, JavaScript, and more. Boost the skill level of yourself and your entire team by digging into our comprehensive video library.
Contributing
Thank you for considering contributing to the Laravel framework! The contribution guide can be found in the Laravel documentation.
Code of Conduct
In order to ensure that the Laravel community is welcoming to all, please review and abide by the Code of Conduct.
Security Vulnerabilities
Please review our security policy on how to report security vulnerabilities.
License
The Laravel framework is open-sourced software licensed under the MIT license.
Top Related Projects
The Symfony PHP framework
CakePHP: The Rapid Development Framework for PHP - Official Repository
Yii 2: The Fast, Secure and Professional PHP Framework
Open Source PHP Framework (originally from EllisLab)
Slim is a PHP micro framework that helps you quickly write simple yet powerful web applications and APIs.
Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot