Web artisans in the modern world of technology are gifted with a wide range of PHP frameworks. Some among them are astonishing in terms of development possibilities they offer to the developers. Laravel is such a framework designed by following the same MVC model, which aids developers to build websites very easily. A Laravel developer gets plenty of features and its latest update 5.1 is really magnificent and flawless in concerns of advancement in web creation technologies. In short, it is a powerful PHP framework to assist developers in rapid development of websites coupled with excellent applications. Here let us check some vital points that enable Laravel to be a worthy framework to use, and the reasons for its popularity.

Why should we use Laravel?

1. By following the simple MVC framework, Laravel as a framework is not a pain to use, hence it has very simple tables and well defined classes.

2. This framework automatically links classes defined in the codes with databases, the ORM classes in Laravel model smoothly work with all database objects.

3. The updating of new entries, and database fields is so easy by using Laravel, hence developers can ease through the development.

4. Similar to what developers get with the frameworks like Ruby on Rails, Laravel has much refined set of migrations. Migration files help developers to update the database so easily. Altering of the database schema is no an issue while working with this platform. Simple ways of editions make your applications run so quickly.

5. A well- set packaging system named Bundles, Dependency manger, and powerful repository make this framework eloquent.

6. The query builder used in Laravel can be used to create a selectable caching. It improves the overall coding level of the framework. The classes and methods in this framework are so detailed.

7. The reverse routing enables Laravel to build apt URIs automatically.

8. Another great feature of this framework is a Blade templating engine. It has a good list of control structures, loops, and extended custom directives to assist developers for creating fast applications.

9. The artisan command line utility included in this framework makes unit testing work in a lighting pace.

10. The paginations can be done with the help of automated methods.

One of the must explain features of this framework is an improved Artisan CLI itself. When Laravel was introduced first, it CLI was a small unit, but it was expanded consistently with the implementation of new controllers. Dealing with migrations, and seeding, together with the creation of boilerplate codes so on can be done in a lighting pace with the advancement of this dedicated Artisan CLI.

Conclusion

The popularity of Laravel can be analysed based on many facets, and one among them is the celebrated set of Laravel community support itself. Any clarifications on coding, documentation, or even database manipulations can be managed smoothly through the extended community support. The ecosystem in which Laravel runs is superb, and has the support of some other frameworks like Symfony, when it comes to components. It is a rugged framework now capable of creating independent libraries. In addition to all these Laravel has the aid of tested third party libraries, as well. Range of modularity, the Laravel as a framework encompasses is simply amazing, and this itself gives a Laravel developer clear advantage in the creation of web applications. 

PHP frameworks are many in fact. It is common that PHP developers make comparisons between various frameworks on the basis of what they offer, their advantages and disadvantages. Many forums are replete with discussions pitting one framework with the other, like as Yii vs CodeIgniter and then Laravel Vs Yii then  mainly Laravel Vs CodeIgniter.

So how do these two frameworks fare? Which is popular than the other? Which framework offers better features? Such questions line up! Here, let us make a brief analysis and know the differences between Laravel and CodeIgniter.

Laravel: Its pros and cons

It is common knowledge that, for web application development, Laravel offers expressive, elegant syntax. Such has been its design. The laravel developer will enjoy the development process. Routing, authentication, sessions are some tasks, which are commonly performed, and are made easier, thanks to Laravel.

Importantly, this framework is designed for the PHP's latest version. Therefore, unit testing support and authentication, which are the base development components, are inbuilt. It is commendable that Laravel framework folds with the blade template engine in a smooth manner.

One area where Laravel outdoes CodeIgniter is it has got exceptions. These, with exceedingly detailed stacktrace aren't available for developers who use CodeIgniter..

Use of libraries and models is easier as Laravel has object-oriented libraries. These libraries are supported with autocomplete feature.

Laravel has its own command-line interface. Called as Artisan, it enables developers to perform abundant tasks. So what tasks? Tasks like migrating databases and seeding databases. Also performed is clearing the cache, etc.

Object-Relational Mapping or ORM in Laravel is simple, eloquent and fast. That said, developers will find it very easy to organize the application's database.

Laravel is best suited for building RESTful APIs. Apart from that, Laravel handles event queuing.

However, Routing in Laravel may be odd at times. Owing to the recent entry of Laravel, it may be a bit tougher if not altogether, to get to find answers. Notwithstanding this fact, the numerous forums and IRC are very much active in helping people find answers.

CodeIgniter: Its pros and cons

It is simple, and also quick to set up CodeIgniter. Just download the preferred version from CodeIgniter homepage. Otherwise, from GitHub. Thereafter, unzip the contents.

Nothing can beat CodeIgniter in terms of documentation, which is clear and very well structured. It is such that all the particular concepts of CodeIgniter which are commonly used are explained clearly, that too, with examples.

CodeIgniter is stable. The popular framework has the advantage of having been tested by the developers in large number. Having said that, the chances of bugs or any other problems going unnoticed is minimal.

The templating engine, which is inbuilt in CodeIgniter, is easy to use and is based on mustache-like templating language. Learning this language is simple even for new developers.

No matter whether you know anything about MVC architecture or not; it is very easy to use CodeIgniter.

CodeIgniter offers output caching. Web pages can be cached so that the loading time can be reduced. Besides, efficiency and performance can be enhanced.

Developers using CodeIgniter can easily seek support. Because this framework has a very big community which uses the framework for smaller projects and also very large projects.

It may be an overstatement to call CodeIgniter obsolete. However, it is to be noted that the framework has been released at the time of PHP 4. Many new features were added later to PHP. Hence, the need for extending code files arises to make this framework work.

Another drawback of CodeIgniter is that it does not offer default modular separation.

Conclusion

Both frameworks, which are unique and similar in many ways have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, it is the requirements of the developers that decide which is to be preferred. All that said, if you are a developer working on modern apps, it is suggested you go for Laravel. Every Laravel developer company attributes their ease of web development to this framework.

Laravel figures in the list of most utilized open source PHP web frameworks in the world now. Laravel has got a large community of developers under its spell. All prominent web developing companies ensure the services of professional Laravel developers in their core team of application development. Developing a RESTful API using Laravel is not a very tedious task, but the process demands a certain amount of care which should be taken by developers at the time of development to evade crucial flaws at the runtime. This article furnishes a detailed check-list to avoid errors while creating a RESTful API with Laravel.

Basic steps to follow before we start-off

Imagine you are working on a local windows environment, then as a basic step you need to ensure that XAMPP and composer are installed properly, and it assists in the running of Apache and MySQL promptly. Along with XAMPP, tools such as Sublime-Text and handy plugins should be installed for increasing the pace of your development. Create your own repositories with the aid of reliable sources such as Github. If you are using a Linux platform, these basic steps differ.

Make the components and framework of your API error-free

First thing you should ensure while creating API is that all models are defined correctly without any missing relations that link them one another. Vital factor which helps your components and framework work well is the functioning of corresponding tables in the database, so to avoid errors exploit relative functions in PHP artisan. Check laravel seeders are inserting data automatically in the database without any errors. REST routes created with artisan commands play a significant role in the working of API, hence make sure it lacks any error possibilities. Keep only much needed methods that control your entire API structure.

Be sure with all CRUD methods

CRUD methods include functions you need to implement all API operations. All indexes, Marker controllers, and nested functions need to be checked as a third step. It helps your resource controllers produce the desired results you want to display. All the issues generate with CSRF middleware must be fixed, either by disabling it for the time being, or fully. Markers should be included in the database with proper definitions, and request controllers must validate data correctly. Examine if PUT and PATCH methods are getting requests from the update methods you have created. Assure that a destroy method to delete unwanted data from the database has been created having no flaw in it.

Check the security aspects

Your RESTful Laravel API should be top class in terms of security, for that verify all methods you have developed like storing, and deleting by implementing auth as well as middleware. Analyse it code by code to pick out the errors. Some professional Laravel developers working in reputed firms create CSRF to hack their own API to avoid every security vulnerability. Together with it some developers even create separate handlers for processing instant requests as well as superfluous errors. For making your RESTful Laravel API work extremely well very aspects need to be cross checked in a proficient line.