A Quick Guide to the Best PHP Framework for Beginners

Did you know that almost every company has at least some components of their websites or other digital products built with PHP? It’s one of the most widely used programming languages. The demand for developers skilled in PHP also remains high, making this an excellent time to get started in this field.

That being said, if you are thinking about becoming a web developer and creating websites with PHP is something that interests you, then you may want to consider investing your time and energy in learning how to build those websites using a framework suited for beginners.

This article will tell you about the best framework for PHP beginners so that you can make an informed decision before diving into this field.

What is a PHP Framework?

A PHP framework is a collection of tools and resources that you can use to build web applications. Frameworks help you to create applications faster and with fewer programming errors, thus saving both time and money.

There are many tempting reasons associated with a good PHP framework. Many are designed to make programming easier, especially for beginners. They provide common functionality like routing, authentication, database management, and templating out of the box.

When you use a framework to build an application, you are reusing the work of thousands of developers before you who have built their applications with the same PHP development service. This means you can build the same application faster, with less effort, and with fewer bugs than if you had to start from scratch.

Why Use a PHP Framework?

The most tempting reason to use a PHP framework is to gain speed as a programmer. Frameworks are designed and developed to make it easier for programmers to build modules and applications.

The benefits of using a framework involve more than just saving time; it also helps you to write better code. The use of frameworks is a discipline that helps you to become a better programmer by enabling you to build programs that are both less prone to bugs and more easily readable by others.

Better code is not just something that programmers proudly show off to their friends. It also means that the code can be reused by other programmers to build new programs.

The best reason to use a framework is that you can build a better application. You can have a solution that is faster, cheaper, and more secure, and that is something that is definitely worth bragging about.

Which is the Best PHP Framework for beginners?

The best framework for a beginner is one that is easy to learn and get started with. This can make a big difference in terms of the amount of time it takes for you to become productive.

When choosing a PHP framework for beginners, you should consider your level of skill, experience, and comfort level with programming. However, frameworks are not created equally and each of them has its own benefits and limitations that you should take into account.

There are various frameworks out there but these are the most common ones in the market:

Laravel

This is arguably the most popular PHP framework and a great starting point. It has a great community, tons of online resources, and is easy to use.

Symfony

This is a popular choice for enterprise-level applications due to its flexibility and scalability. It is not the easiest framework to learn, so it might not be the best starting point for beginners.

CodeIgniter

This is a very lightweight and easy-to-use framework. It is good for small to medium-sized projects, but it might not be a good fit for enterprise-level projects.

Zend

This is another good framework to use for your first PHP application. It is flexible and scalable and very simple to get started with.

How to choose the right framework for you?

Choosing the right framework for you can be a daunting task. There are so many options, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. It goes without saying that you will have to take these into consideration when making your decision.

Nevertheless, there are also some other factors you should consider before making any commitment:

Look at the community and documentation

Find out how many people use the framework and if there are any meet-ups or other community events where you can find help if you need it. Also, see if there are any user groups or forums where you can ask questions. You can also check if there are any books on the framework that you can read.

Choose a framework that is evolving

You want to pick a framework that the developers are actively working on and evolving so that you can get support for the latest version. This is important because PHP is always evolving and you want to make sure you can get support for the latest versions and that the framework is compatible with these new versions as well.

Consider how much time you have

If you are a beginner, then you likely don’t have a lot of time to build an app from scratch. In this case, you might want to pick a framework that you can get started with quickly.

Choose a framework that is scalable

You want to pick a framework that can grow with you as your project evolves and that works well with other technologies. It is important to pick a framework that is scalable to meet your long-term needs.

Pick a framework that is secure

You want to make sure that the framework you pick is secure and that it has a good track record. You can do this by reading reviews and looking at the track record of the framework online.

Bottom line

New programmers have a lot of hurdles to jump when they are just starting. Learning the syntax of a programming language is one thing, but getting acquainted with the libraries, methods, and practices is another. In order to become an effective programmer, you need to understand the basics first and foremost.

Creating websites with PHP is easy, but making a website that is user-friendly, fast, and secure can be difficult. A PHP framework takes care of the complex tasks so that you can focus on developing your own website.

Robert Smith is an online marketing expert working with brands to grow their business.