Top 7 PHP Frameworks For Developers

PHP being the most popular server-side programming language known for its simplicity.
PHP frameworks provides some pre-built modules to developers. PHP frameworks uses Model-View-Controller(MVC) architecture. MVC helps developers to focus on their specific areas without worrying if their code will adversely affecting the development of the other modules or not.

In this article we carefully handpicked 7 popular PHP frameworks that can best facilitate and streamline the process of backend web development.

1. Laravel

Laravel is a relatively new PHP framework released in 2011. This framework is most popular among developers.
Laravel has many features like lightweight Blade template engine, a packaging system, unit testing, ORM, RESTful controllers, and now Laravel is the first framework to provide routing in a abstract way.

Features:

• Built-in Database Query Builder
• Unit-Testing Support
• “Artisan” Command-Line Interface
• “Lumen” Micro-Framework
• REST API Compatibility
• Comprehensive Documentation
• Easy Deployment with “Envoyer”
• “Spark” Scaffolding

2. CodeIgniter

Other powerful and simple PHP framework, CodeIgniter is known for its flexibility and simplicity of installation.

CodeIgniter is a lightweight, framework with a small footprint that can be installed just by uploading it directly to your hosting. No command line language or software required for installation. Just Upload the files and you’re ready to start web app development.

Features:

• MVC Support
• Strong Security
• Great Performance
• Form validation library
• Built in libraries for unit testing

3. Symfony

Symfony framework is very stable, high performance, well documented, and modular project.

Symfony framework can be used to build a certain functionality. You do not need to redevelop the framework again. Symfony components can be used as a part of other applications such as Laravel, Joomla, Drupal, phpBB etc.

Features:

• Session management
• Error logging
• Code reusable and easier to maintain
• Standardization and interoperability of applications
• High-performance PHP framework
• Model-View-Controller based system

4. Yii 2

If you develop your website using Yii framework then that will boost performance of your website, as Yii is faster than other PHP frameworks.

It’s purely object-oriented and based on the Don’t Repeat Yourself coding(DRY) concept.

Features:

• Form Input and validation
• AJAX-enabled widgets
• Authentication and Authorization
• Error handling and Logging
• Automatic Code Generation
• Extensive Library

5. CakePHP

CakePHP is an old PHP framework released in 2005. Still CakePHP is popular among developers. The latest version of CakePHP 3.0 enhanced session management, improved modularity by decoupling several components and increased the ability of creating more standalone libraries.

It’s purely object-oriented and based on the Don’t Repeat Yourself coding(DRY) concept.

Features:

• Proper class inheritance
• High-level of security
• SQL injection prevention
• Cross-site scripting(XSS)
• built-in security features like input validation
• Extensive Library

6. Zend Framework

Zend is a robust and stable PHP framework comes with a lot of configuration options. Zend Framework not recommended for small projects but can be use for more complex projects.

Zend Framework created with the Agile methodology that facilitates delivering high-quality apps to enterprise clients.

Features:

• Cryptographic coding tools
• An easy-to-use drag and drop editor
• Instant online debugging
• PHP Unit testing tools
• connected Database Wizard

7. Phalcon

Phalcon framework was released in 2012 and quickly becom popular in PHP developers.

It was written in C and C++ to reach the highest level of performance optimization possible. Phalcon basically uses for creating and maintaining highly configurable web applications.

Features:

• Universal auto-loader
• Asset management
• Security
• Translation
• Caching