Laravel is a framework written in PHP. Like other frameworks, it is free and has open-source code, which can be found on GitHub.
Laravel is used when creating applications with the MVC model (Model View Controller). Many consider it one of the best MVC frameworks (because Laravel has a large community).
This framework consistently falls into the lists of the most popular, promising and used PHP frameworks and receives such titles as the best enterprise-level framework and the best framework for personal projects. The popularity of the framework is growing.
Laravel framework is suitable for those who want to quickly and correctly create a reliable web project. The release of Laravel 1 took place not so long ago – in mid-2011. The current version is 5.6.0, released recently.
Laravel Application Development
An application on Laravel can be developed on any operating system. You can use the IDE (integrated development environment) of your choice, for example, PhpStorm (fans of text editors can choose Atom or Sublime Text).
The Laravel IDE Helper Generator can also be useful- a package that generates a helper file that contains static facade classes.
The second useful tool will be the Composer, which allows you to update the framework and load additional packages into the project. Most PHP packages have a minimum of dependencies and therefore can be easily added to the application.
When writing any project, you need to test it. In Laravel, functional texts (Feature tests) are presented that check the project functionality (from the user’s point of view), and unit tests that check the project logic itself.
Another useful tool is the Laravel Debugbar, a package that allows you to control and debug code (integrated into the PHP Debug Bar). It tracks queries and will enable you to track SQL queries to optimize them.
To build the project, you will need the Laravel Mix. This API is used to define Webpack build instructions for a Laravel application.
Laravel Features
Laravel is a powerful and versatile development tool with scalability, an excellent built-in caching mechanism, and high development speed. It keeps up to date; it changes and is being finalized. It is a modern framework suitable for a wide range of tasks. It allows you to use a service provider (service provider), through which you can centrally connect the necessary components of the application. You can easily extend any component in it. Also, convenient routing and validation of incoming parameters can be noted separately.
Laravel gives you the opportunity to work with various databases, change their structure, roll back changes, etc.
Also Read, Why Use Laravel for Enterprise Application Development
Features of Laravel Sites :
- Broad Functionality (You can do a project with almost any necessary functionality)
- Convenient Administrative Panel (You can make a panel specifically for a specific project and its tasks)
- High Level of Database Security (Sites are reliably protected from SQL injection)
- Scalability (Project functionality can be easily expanded)
Top CMS Based on Laravel
Based on Laravel, several CMS was developed; the most interesting ones will be described below.
October CMS
This is the most popular CMS based on Laravel. The platform is open source. The functionality can be expanded using an extensive list of free modules and plugins.
This is a full-fledged, finished product with its own documentation, plugins, themes, ease of use, and much more.
October CMS has a convenient and friendly admin panel that you can customize for yourself. Also, in October CMS, there is a built-in file manager that allows you to work with files and images directly in the browser.
Asgard CMS
It is a reasonably new (2015) project, but already gaining popularity. Asgard CMS is more designed for developers than for ordinary users since even installation must be done through the command line. The creators of Asgard CMS see the advantages of this engine in that it:
- Easy to Install (Takes no more than 5 minutes)
- Multilingual (Including backend)
- Modular (Each part of the CMS is a separate module)
- User-Friendly
And the main advantages of the system: adaptive design (the site is convenient to watch on any device), work on PHP 7.0 and readiness for launch (it takes only a few days, not weeks or months to develop a site on Asgard CMS).
Lavalite
It is another CMS, focused primarily on developers. It includes all the necessary basic packages like a file manager, packages “Themes”, “Users”, Saas and others.
The main features of Lavalite: adaptive design, the possibility of customization, clean code that is convenient to work with, documentation and free updates.
PyroCMS
PyroCMS has an interesting history. The engine was developed initially on CodeIgniter, but later, starting with the third version, it was rewritten in Laravel.
CMS has a convenient admin panel that you can quickly understand, so the engine is perfect for creating a personal page or blog. Critical features of PyroCMS are multilingualism, the ability to install modules and themes, as well as plugins.