Laravel and PHP are two terms that are frequently mentioned in the world of web development, often causing confusion among beginners. To put it simply, Laravel and PHP are not the same, but they are closely related. In this article, we will delve into the differences and connections between Laravel and PHP, providing a comprehensive comparison that will help you understand their roles in web development.
Understanding PHP
PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a server-side scripting language used for web development. It was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 and has since become one of the most widely used languages for building dynamic websites and web applications. PHP is the underlying technology for a vast number of websites on the internet, and it is known for its simplicity and versatility.
PHP acts as the backbone for web development, as it allows the running of scripts on the server-side. These scripts handle user requests, while also juggling interactions with databases and forming HTML, CSS, and other user-friendly content that show up on a user’s web browser. PHP coding usually sits snugly within HTML, which makes crafting engaging and dynamic web pages a breeze.
Laravel Introduction
Laravel is actually a framework for PHP, rather than being a programming language on its own. The man behind its creation is Taylor Otwell and it first became available in 2011. Laravel’s been designed with the aim to make web application development smoother and more efficient by providing developers with a structured environment. To put it simply, Laravel serves as a toolkit full of libraries and conventions, all built upon PHP, which makes the process of web development easier and faster.
Laravel provides a host of capabilities and resources, such as routing, authentication, database shifts, and templating, among other things. Its usage of the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design structure aids developers in tidying and streamlining their work. The charm of Laravel lies in its refined coding style, comprehensive guides, and vibrant developer community, all of which have played no small part in making it a favorite with web developers.
Assuming you have a fresh Laravel installation, you can achieve the same “Hello, World!” output by following these steps:
Create a route in Laravel. Open the routes/web.php file and add the following route:
Now, open your terminal, navigate to the Laravel project directory, and start the development server:
Visit http://localhost:8000 in your web browser, and you will see the “Hello, World!” message displayed on the webpage.
Laravel vs. PHP – Key Differences
Now that we have gotten a handle on the basics of PHP and Laravel, why don’t we dig into some of the main differences between them?
3.1. Level of Abstraction
PHP is a coding language brilliantly designed for web development. It gives developers an in-depth, hands-on approach, they are literally building and designing applications from the ground up. This means they’ve got total control over their code and can tailor every element to their unique needs. While this freedom is amazing, it also means a higher investment of time and effort, but many find this to be a worthy trade-off for the level of customization PHP offers.
On the flip side, Laravel is actually an intricate framework constructed on PHP. It takes quite a number of usual web development tasks and changes them into predefined solutions and structures. This modification drastically streamlines the development process. As developers, we can take advantage of these pre-established parts, so there’s no need to start from scratch every single time. Laravel champions top-tier practices and mandates specific coding standards. This not only simplifies our life as coders but also aids us in crafting neat and easy-to-maintain code.
3.2. Development Speed
Laravel usually allows for quicker web application development than raw PHP, thanks to its advanced abstractions and ready-to-use features. Developers can considerably cut down on time with Laravel’s handy features like routing, authentication, and database management. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller to mid-sized projects where speedy development is key.
On the other hand, PHP calls for developers to craft more code from scratch. This can slow things a bit, particularly with intricate applications. But it’s not all bad – PHP lends itself well to detailed customizations, which makes it a go-to for large projects that require a high degree of specialisation.
3.3. Learning Curve
Learning PHP is pretty straightforward, which means it’s a breeze for beginners. Its simple syntax and the wealth of online resources available make it really easy for anyone aiming to become a web developer to quickly understand the basics. In no time, you can begin crafting simple websites.
As a framework, Laravel might be a bit more challenging to learn compared to basic PHP. Why? Because it comes with its own set of rules and concepts like the MVC pattern, routing, and middleware that could initially baffle those who are new to it. But don’t be discouraged. Once you get the hang of these, you’ll see improvements in how you organize your code and maintain it. The only catch is, that you might need to invest a bit more time mastering Laravel.
3.4. Community and Ecosystem
PHP has stood the test of time, having been with us for many years. It has a huge, well-established ecosystem. There’s a vast array of libraries, extensions, and tools that you can use when working with PHP, which proves invaluable for many types of projects. What’s more, it boasts a large, vibrant community that offers guidance, handy tutorials, and nifty fixes to usual PHP-related difficulties.
Laravel, although a more recent addition to the web development landscape, has quickly gained a substantial community of its own. This community contributes to the framework’s growth, constantly creating new packages, extensions, and resources specifically tailored to Laravel. While Laravel’s ecosystem is smaller than PHP’s, it is more specialized and well-suited for modern web development needs.
When to Use PHP and When to Use Laravel
Now that we’ve explored the differences between PHP and Laravel, it’s important to understand when to use each of them:
4.1. Use PHP When:
- You need to create a simple, static website without complex functionality.
- You prefer full control over your code and don’t need a high-level framework.
- You are working on legacy projects that use PHP.
- You are building custom and highly specialized applications that don’t fit within a framework’s constraints.
4.2. Use Laravel When:
- You want to develop web applications quickly and efficiently.
- Your project requires features like user authentication, routing, and database interactions.
- Your project will need characteristics such as user sign-in processes, route navigation, and interactions with the database.
- You prefer a structured and organized approach to coding.
- You’re working within a team and you’re looking to leverage the standards and best practices of Laravel to your advantage.
Conclusion
Laravel and PHP are not the same; they serve different roles in the world of web development. PHP is a programming language that underpins web development, while Laravel is a PHP framework designed to simplify and accelerate the process of building web applications. Choosing between PHP and Laravel depends on the specific requirements of your project, your level of expertise, and your development goals. Both PHP and Laravel have their strengths and weaknesses, and understanding when to use each one will help you make informed decisions in your web development endeavors.
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