A Look at PHP Frameworks That Might Rule 2015

A number of recent surveys have highlighted that PHP is the most popular server-side scripting language of 2015. Unlike other programming languages, PHP is easy to understand, read and edit. It also enables programmers to accomplish programming tasks without writing longer lines of code. The developers can further use PHP frameworks to curtail the coding time, and facilitate long-term maintenance. As a programmer has option to choose from several PHP frameworks, it is important for him to understand the most useful PHP frameworks.

8 Most Useful PHP Frameworks for Web Developers for 2015

1) Laravel: Laravel is hugely popular among PHP developers due to its great features. It is also built on top of a number of PHP components. So the well tested and reliable code provides a solid foundation to the web applications. Laravel also makes it easier for developers to create modern internet applications by availing features like beautiful templating, Restful Routing, powerful queue library, painless routing, and simple authentication.

2) Phalcon: As a high-performing PHP framework, Phalcon makes it easier for developers to build MVC applications. As it is implemented as a C-extension, Phalcon further offer high performance, while consuming lower resource. Phalcon can be used by programmers for creating single-module, multi-modules and micro applications. At the same time, it also comes with several innovative features like template engine, event management, encryption, validation, Forms Builder, and Flash Messages.

3) Symfony: The popular full-stack PHP framework, which is built on top of Symfony components, enables developers to rapidly create a variety of websites and internet applications. Along with being flexible, stable and sustainable, Symfony is also much faster than other PHP frameworks. At the same time, Symfony allows developers to easily combine a variety of components and parts according to their specific requirements.

4) CodeIgniter: Despite being a powerful PHP framework, CodeIgniter has a very small footprint. As it is open source, CodeIgniter can be used by enterprises without increasing project overheads. It complements the needs of developers who want to build full-featured web applications by using a simple toolkit. The elegant toolkit provided by CodeIgniter enables developers to rapidly build modern websites and internet applications.

5) Yii: In addition to being a high-performing PHP framework, Yii is also fast and secure. It further loads only the features required by the developers. Yii also comes with a powerful caching system, MVC, DAO/ActiveRecord, and testing. It further enables programmers to create secure web application by availing features like input validation, output filtering, and prevention of SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks.

6) CakePHP: CakePHP is designed with features to make web application development simpler and faster. It also does not require programmers to write longer lines of code. The developers can avail the code generation and scaffolding features of the framework to build prototypes rapidly. Also, they can simply setup the database, and start development without using XML or YAML files. CakePHP further allows them to use built-in batteries for database access, caching, translation, authentication and validation.

7) Zend Framework 2: As a popular PHP framework, Zend enables developers to rapidly build high-performing and modern web applications. It also provides building blocks that can be seamlessly combined with other frameworks and applications. The developers can further adapt Zend easily according to their specific needs. They also have option to use secure and cryptographic coding tools provided by Zend.

8) FuelPHP: FuelPHP is hugely popular among PHP developers as a simple and flexible MVC framework. However, unlike other MVC frameworks, FuelPHP enables developers to create a layer between the View and the Controller through the ViewModels or presentation models. At the same time, it also supports a router-based approach. The community-driven framework further allows both experienced PHP programmers and beginners to participate in the project.

On the whole, a programmer has option to choose from several open source and commercial PHP frameworks. So he must compare the frameworks according to the web application’s features and functionality. At the same time, he also needs to choose a framework that supports the most recent version of the widely used server-side scripting language. To get maximum benefits of PHP, you may consider hiring services of a PHP web development company India.

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Top 3 PHP frameworks to develop applications

PHP frameworks are highly effective tools so far as clean and structured web development is concerned. These help in speeding up the creation as well as maintenance of your PHP web applications. PHP is technically an open source server scripting language and it is widely used for the development of online properties. In the web world, it is the most popular web development tool. Lately, it has introduced a revolution in terms of creating websites with instant page designing. It makes understanding of presentation code, interactive functions and database connection simpler and quicker and hence beginners consider it as a boon.

Moreover, PHP frameworks help to write reusable code. Most of the PHP frameworks follow the MVC or model-view-controller pattern. The MVC pattern ensures separation of presentation and logic.

Here is a discussion about the top 3 PHP frameworks that are based on the MVC design pattern:

1. Yii

Yii is a high-performance component-based PHP framework for building large-scale web applications. It is written in strict OOP and comes with comprehensive tutorials or complete class reference. From DAO/ActiveRecord, MVC, widgets, caching, Web services, hierarchical RBAC to I18N, L10N and theming, Yii provides almost every feature required for advanced Web 2.0 application development of recent times. Yii is one of the best PHP platforms around.

It is an incredibly nimble platform that appeals to the PHP developer willing to develop social applications. It takes care of sql injection, input validation along with other mundane security tasks that are so important for a healthy app. Yii is also a friendly on cross platform development, so if you are moving some code over something that has relied on the Zend or PEAR framework, you will be just fine with it.

2. Symfony

It is one of the most efficient web application frameworks. Symfony intends to accelerate the development as well as maintenance of web applications while replacing the repetitive coding tasks by control, power and pleasure. The very small number of prerequisites makes it easy to install on any configuration and you just need to get Windows or Unix with a web server as well as PHP 5 installed. It is compatible with nearly every database system. Additionally, it comes without incurring much overhead. As a matter of fact, the benefits of the framework do not come at the cost of an increase of hosting prices.

Using this platform is quite natural and easy for emerging web developers, as the learning curve is reduced to less than a day. The code readability as well as clean design will keep your delays short. Developers can use agile development principles like KISS, DRY or the XP philosophy to focus on applicable logic without losing time for writing endless XML configuration files.

In an enterprise context, Symfony is intended to develop robust applications. And, it means that you have complete control over the configuration; from the foreign libraries to the directory structure, almost everything can be customized. For the purpose of matching the development guidelines of your enterprise, symfony is bundled with additional tools. It helps you efficiently test, document or debug your project.

3. Zend

For businesses, the Zend Framework is the best platform as its enterprise support is preferred by companies as well as individuals all around the world. Apart from being a PFP model, Zend also provides several tools for easing the development process, like its own flavor of PHP that is very similar to the open source version, except with more support. Furthermore, it contains a custom server so that you can start having a quick look at your applications, and without too much configuration across various platforms.

There is one more big thing to be excited about this platform. Zend studio offers a perfectly integrated development platform which lets you experience full potentials of the services mentioned above. Zend can be a bit costly, especially if you are an independent developer working on a restricted budget. You can certainly give it a try, in case you aim at investing in one of the best PHP frameworks available in today's market.

In the contemporary business scenario, these top PHP frameworks offer compact features that help PHP scripting gain recognition as well as appreciation among web developers. Several PHP frameworks meet number of requirements for various web-based application development. PHP tools are increasingly being developed to enhance programs making web development simpler, faster and easier. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but hopefully this discussion will help you choose and enjoy the best framework that will make your professional life more organized and more efficient. To get maximum benefits of PHP frameworks, you may consider hiring services of a PHP web development company India.

We provide PHP web development services. If you would like to hire PHP programmer from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.