How to choose the right PHP Framework for web development?

mario2027

Hi!

I'm a PHP Pro, but haven't use any PHP framework till now, so I have no clue on how to choose a PHP framework. Do you have some tips to help me choose the/a right PHP Framework?

I want a stable and secure PHP framework for Projects with about 400 hours development time. It should be possible to use the framework on Shared-Hosting-Webservers. I don't need some AJAX support (I'm using extJS).
It would be nice if the framework supports Rapid Application Development
and object-relational mapping.

Also some of the standard-functions (Authentification, form validation) would
be nice. Caching would be a usefull, but isn't needed.

Needs for a PHP framework:
- Shared-Hosting-Webserver-Support
- for Projects between 200 und 400 hours work
- Developing Modell "Rapid Application Development" supported
- object-relational mapping supported
If possible:
- Caching
- Already finished Modules (e.g. Authentification, form validation, ..)
- Easy to learn

Which PHP framework is the right one I am seeking for?

thx
Wallace

conorcan2

mario2027 wrote: »

Hi!

I'm a PHP Pro, but haven't use any PHP framework till now, so I have no clue on how to choose a PHP framework. Do you have some tips to help me choose the/a right PHP Framework?

With PHP, the big players seem to be Symfony, CakePHP, CodeIgnitor. Drupal also fulfills most of the requirements you specify.

If I were you, I'd try and differentiate between the major frameworks and see how the nuances are relevant to the type of projects I'd be likely working on in the future. It might be worth learning one of the simpler frameworks, so you'd have a basis on which to evaluate them.

romans

Hi Mario

I am maintainer of a PHP5 framework which might be exactly what you are looking for. It's been used privately, but I have been working about half a year now on preparing it for open-source community.

This is Web UI framework, meaning it operates with objects which appear on your page. Possibly there is a similarity with .NET, however it's much more lightweight. At the same time it has strong back-end support, MVC, Database abstraction, dynamic queries, all that jazz.

The benefit of having UI-capable framework allows us to crunch out the complete modules which come with models and the interface. For example, you can add Realex Payment backend and creating a payment form would be a matter of few lines of code for you.

Finally - it has a default template based on jQuery UI which lets you just focus on the coding and leave the HTML/JS/CSS to the framework. It also has few Authentication classes, depending on your needs.

Demo: http://demo.atk4.com/
Blog: http://blog.atk4.com/
Github: http://github.com/atk4/atk4/

Screencasts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJRvj_pPLlc - setup
http://files.agiletech.ie/atk4-zero-start - starting project from scratch
http://files.agiletech.ie/atk4-dashboard-ui-goodies - shows power of Web UI

Let me know what you think.

Fergaloc

I heard CakePHP was good. Ironically, I just downloaded CakePHP today. xD
I need to see what I can do with it though. :P

conorcan2

Fergaloc wrote: »

I heard CakePHP was good. Ironically, I just downloaded CakePHP today. xD
I need to see what I can do with it though. :P

That's not ironic, it's coincidental.

Fergaloc

conorcan2 wrote: »

That's not ironic, it's coincidental.

True. Meh, in a way it could be both, coincidental is better though. :P

fasty

Another recommendation for CakePHP from me.

conorcan2

If you're going to recommend something, or say it's 'good', then at least give one reason or a basis for your opinion. It would make your opinion even more valuable - thanks!

Webmonkey

I found CakePHP very intuitive and quick to produce. Another +1

fasty

conorcan2 wrote: »

If you're going to recommend something, or say it's 'good', then at least give one reason or a basis for your opinion. It would make your opinion even more valuable - thanks!

I notice you didn't give any opinions on the frameworks you listed!

Anyway... RE: CakePHP

Good url router, great documentation, pretty intuitive syntax for querying models, relatively lightweight compared to other MVC frameworks I've used, in that you're not buried under a mountain of XML config files to get things up and running.

conorcan2

fasty wrote: »

I notice you didn't give any opinions on the frameworks you listed!

True, you got me there! In my defense, I haven't tried any of them except for Drupal, which is a framework with a specific context...building community based sites. I'm not sure if it's relevant to the OP's needs because a base install of Drupal comes with a suite of functionality that may be superflous for some projects.

CakePHP et al. provide you with a blank canvas in terms of functionality, Drupal assumes you'll be using a basic level of functionality (user management, content administrating, security features and more) but gives you a lot of flexibility to build from there.

Thanks for the CakePHP info.

<<Ruby on Rails also seems like an option, albeit not PHP based>>

fcrossen

romans wrote: »

I am maintainer of a PHP5 framework which might be exactly what you are looking for. It's been used privately, but I have been working about half a year now on preparing it for open-source community.
[...]
Demo: http://demo.atk4.com/
Blog: http://blog.atk4.com/
Github: http://github.com/atk4/atk4/

Just a heads up - there is already a PHP framework called ATK out there:
- http://www.atk-framework.com/

Webmonkey

conorcan2 wrote: »

True, you got me there! In my defense, I haven't tried any of them except for Drupal, which is a framework with a specific context...building community based sites. I'm not sure if it's relevant to the OP's needs because a base install of Drupal comes with a suite of functionality that may be superflous for some projects.

CakePHP et al. provide you with a blank canvas in terms of functionality, Drupal assumes you'll be using a basic level of functionality (user management, content administrating, security features and more) but gives you a lot of flexibility to build from there.

Thanks for the CakePHP info.

<<Ruby on Rails also seems like an option, albeit not PHP based>>

CakePHP was half derived from Ruby on Rails concepts.

Because I like to learn by doing, I would suggest starting with a more accessible framework with good documentation, to get inside the framework/MVC/etc. mindset.

I started with Zend, and it put me off frameworks for a bit. I then tried Codeigniter, and did much better with that. It helped me when I revisited Zend, and when I was evaluating other frameworks.

Gabbro

Check out Zend Framework and Yii Framework. CodeIgniter good for smaller projects. If you are relying on already finished modules then you might consider the suitability of a CMS like Drupal or Joomla instead.

fcrossen

Deleted User wrote: »

I then tried Codeigniter, and did much better with that. It helped me when I revisited Zend, and when I was evaluating other frameworks.

You should also check Kohana:
- http://kohanaframework.org/

It is an open source fork of Codeigniter.