Before using a PHP framework, you need to know PHP. It’s also important to know object-oriented PHP because most of the PHP frameworks are object-oriented. Many web apps also connect to a database and each framework also has a list of supported databases. Understanding Object Relational Mapping and web servers like Apache and Nginx is useful.
Model View Controller Architecture
PHP frameworks typically follow the Model View Controller (MVC) design pattern. This concept separates the manipulation of data from its presentation. The Model stores the business logic and the application data. Model also passes the data to View which is the presentation layer. The User interacts with the View and can input instructions via the Controller. Finally, the controller gives these commands to the Model and the cycle continues. To be precise, the Model is about data, the View is about appearance and the Controller is about behaviour.
Essentially, the MVC corresponds to the following:
- Model: a database
- View: HTML page or pages
- Controller: functions to access and update the database.
What should you look for in a PHP Framework?
Some of the factors that you need to consider while choosing the best PHP framework are:
- Choose a PHP framework with a lower learning curve. If you need to start fresh, learning and successfully creating web apps in PHP should not be a very lengthy process.
- Choose a PHP framework that is easy to use. It saves a lot of time.
- Most important of all, select a framework that meets all the technical requirements of a project. Most frameworks have a minimum PHP version and certain PHP extensions that are needed to work with.
- Make sure that the framework you choose supports your databases and works with the webserver you want to deploy to.
- Some of the features you need to look at are Cache Storage, Templating engine, security and testing.
- If you need to build an application that is scalable, choose a PHP framework that suits easy scalability.
Most of all, make sure that your PHP framework suits the type of web application you need to build. Selecting a framework simplifies a lot of things, but understand all that the framework has to offer before you begin!
Read Further: The most popular PHP frameworks available – in our next blog!
