laravel
Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. We’ve already laid the foundation for your next big idea — freeing you to create without sweating the small things.
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)
Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.
The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.
Quick Overview
Laravel 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 extensive documentation
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to some other PHP frameworks
- Can be overkill for small, simple projects
- Performance may be 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
- More extensive and standardized documentation, making it easier for developers to learn and reference
Cons of Symfony
- Steeper learning curve due to its more complex architecture and concepts
- Generally slower performance out of the box compared to Laravel
- Less "magic" and convenience features, requiring more manual configuration and setup
Code Comparison
Laravel routing example:
Route::get('/users', [UserController::class, 'index']);
Symfony routing example:
users:
path: /users
controller: App\Controller\UserController::index
Both frameworks offer powerful routing capabilities, but Laravel's approach is more concise and relies on PHP syntax, while Symfony uses YAML configuration files for a more declarative style.
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 testing tools and fixtures
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()
{
$articles = Article::all();
return view('articles.index', compact('articles'));
}
}
Both frameworks use a similar MVC structure, but Laravel's syntax is often considered more elegant and expressive. CakePHP follows a more traditional PHP approach, while Laravel embraces modern PHP features and practices.
CakePHP is a solid choice for developers who prefer a more straightforward, convention-over-configuration approach. Laravel, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and a larger ecosystem, making it suitable for a wider range of projects and development styles.
Yii 2: The Fast, Secure and Professional PHP Framework
Pros of Yii2
- Better performance and lower memory usage
- More extensive built-in security features
- Stronger database abstraction layer with ActiveRecord
Cons of Yii2
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Laravel
- Less frequent updates and releases
Code Comparison
Yii2 routing:
'rules' => [
'post/<id:\d+>' => 'post/view',
'posts/<tag>' => 'post/index',
'<controller:\w+>/<action:\w+>/<id:\d+>' => '<controller>/<action>',
],
Laravel routing:
Route::get('post/{id}', 'PostController@view');
Route::get('posts/{tag}', 'PostController@index');
Route::get('{controller}/{action}/{id}', function ($controller, $action, $id) {
return App::call("App\\Http\\Controllers\\{$controller}Controller@{$action}", ['id' => $id]);
});
Both frameworks offer powerful routing capabilities, but Laravel's syntax is generally considered more intuitive and expressive. Yii2's routing configuration is typically done in a single array, while Laravel allows for more flexible route definitions throughout the application.
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('/', 'Home::index');
$routes->get('users/(:num)', 'Users::show/$1');
Laravel routing:
Route::get('/', [HomeController::class, 'index']);
Route::get('users/{id}', [UserController::class, 'show']);
Both frameworks use MVC architecture, but Laravel offers more advanced features like Eloquent ORM, built-in authentication, and a powerful templating engine (Blade). CodeIgniter4 provides a simpler structure and is often preferred for smaller projects or when performance is a top priority.
Laravel has a larger community and more extensive documentation, making it easier to find solutions and resources. However, CodeIgniter4's simplicity can be advantageous for developers who prefer a more straightforward approach or need to work on legacy systems.
Ultimately, the choice between these frameworks depends on project requirements, team expertise, and personal preferences.
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 developers familiar with JavaScript
Cons of Express
- Less built-in functionality, requiring more manual setup and configuration
- Lack of standardized project structure, potentially leading to inconsistent codebases
- Fewer out-of-the-box features for common web development tasks
Code Comparison
Express route definition:
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello World!');
});
Laravel route definition:
Route::get('/', function () {
return 'Hello World!';
});
Summary
Express is a minimalist web application framework for Node.js, offering simplicity and flexibility. It's lightweight and fast but requires more manual setup. Laravel, on the other hand, is a full-featured PHP framework with a rich ecosystem of tools and conventions. It provides more out-of-the-box functionality but may have a steeper learning curve for beginners.
The choice between Express and Laravel often depends on the project requirements, team expertise, and desired level of abstraction. Express is well-suited for smaller projects or when fine-grained control is needed, while Laravel excels in larger, more complex applications with its comprehensive feature set and robust ecosystem.
The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.
Pros of Django
- Built-in admin interface for quick and easy management of database records
- Robust ORM with support for complex queries and database operations
- Batteries-included philosophy with many built-in features out of the box
Cons of Django
- Steeper learning curve due to its monolithic structure and conventions
- Less flexibility in terms of project structure and component choices
- Slower development cycle for minor updates compared to Laravel
Code Comparison
Django (models.py):
from django.db import models
class User(models.Model):
name = models.CharField(max_length=100)
email = models.EmailField(unique=True)
Laravel (User.php):
namespace App\Models;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
class User extends Model
{
protected $fillable = ['name', 'email'];
}
Both frameworks provide elegant ways to define database models, but Django's approach is more declarative and includes field types directly in the model definition. Laravel's model is more concise but relies on database migrations for field definitions.
Django's ORM offers more built-in querying capabilities, while Laravel's Eloquent ORM provides a more fluent interface for common operations. Django's admin interface is a significant advantage for rapid prototyping and content management, whereas Laravel offers more flexibility in terms of architectural choices and third-party integrations.
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About Laravel
Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. We believe development must be an enjoyable and creative experience to be truly fulfilling. Laravel takes the pain out of development by easing common tasks used in many web projects, such as:
- Simple, fast routing engine.
- Powerful dependency injection container.
- Multiple back-ends for session and cache storage.
- Expressive, intuitive database ORM.
- Database agnostic schema migrations.
- Robust background job processing.
- Real-time event broadcasting.
Laravel is accessible, powerful, and provides tools required for large, robust applications.
Learning Laravel
Laravel has the most extensive and thorough documentation and video tutorial library of all modern web application frameworks, making it a breeze to get started with the framework.
You may also try the Laravel Bootcamp, where you will be guided through building a modern Laravel application from scratch.
If you don't feel like reading, Laracasts can help. Laracasts contains thousands of video tutorials on a range of topics including Laravel, modern PHP, unit testing, and JavaScript. Boost your skills by digging into our comprehensive video library.
Laravel Sponsors
We would like to extend our thanks to the following sponsors for funding Laravel development. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit the Laravel Partners program.
Premium Partners
- Vehikl
- Tighten Co.
- WebReinvent
- Kirschbaum Development Group
- 64 Robots
- Curotec
- Cyber-Duck
- DevSquad
- Jump24
- Redberry
- Active Logic
- byte5
- OP.GG
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
If you discover a security vulnerability within Laravel, please send an e-mail to Taylor Otwell via taylor@laravel.com. All security vulnerabilities will be promptly addressed.
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)
Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.
The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.
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