Introduction To Laravel

What Is Framework ?

• A framework is a platform for developing software applications.
• It provides a foundation on which software developers can build programs for a specific platform.
• For example, a framework may include predefined classes and functions that can be used to process input, manage hardware devices, and interact with system software.
• Framework provides set of rules and regulations for developing a software.
• Framework provides an architecture to develop software in a structural and logical manner.
• MVC is a most common feature used in frameworks.
• In Simple Words, Framework is a set of rules and regulations and have a library inside it.

Introduction To Laravel

• Laravel is a PHP based web framework for building high-end web applications using its significant and graceful syntaxes.
• It comes with a robust collection of tools and provides application architecture.
• Moreover, it includes various characteristics of technologies like ASP.NET MVC, CodeIgniter, Ruby on Rails, and a lot more.
• It facilitates developers by saving huge time and helps reduce thinking and planning to develop the entire website from scratch.
• Open source PHP framework.
• Uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern.
• An alternative to CakePHP and CodeIgniter

TAYLOR OTWELL – CREATER OF LARAVEL

• Taylor Otwell developed Laravel in July 2011, and it was released more than five years after the release of the Codeigniter.
• Laravel is a PHP based web-framework like Codeigniter.
• Laravel follows the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern.
• Laravel is one of the most popular PHP frameworks after Codeigniter

Some essential features provided by Laravel are:

• Routing controllers
• Configuration management
• Testability
• Authentication and authorization of users
• Modularity
• ORM (Object Relational Mapper) features
• Provides template engine
• Building schemas
• E-mailing facilities

Need For Frameworks

Framework is a basic templating structure that is used to develop, test, and deploy applications rapidly and efficiently.

Purpose Of Frameworks

• Provide abstraction
• Handles repetitive and menial tasks.
• Arranges things in a logical structure.
• Reuses and assembles existing components, dependencies, and libraries
• To build Web applications in a structured manner

Features Of Laravel

• Convention over Configuration
• MVC Architecture
• Artisan Command for Automation
• Helper Functions
• Extensive Library

Convention Over Configuration

• Can predict the dependencies
• Automate the configuration related tasks.
• Reduces the time and effort required to set up and configure services
• Suitable for Rapid Application Development (RAD)

MVC Architecture

Artisan Command For Automation

Artisan is the name of the command-line interface included with Laravel. It provides a number of helpful commands for your use while developing your application. It is driven by the powerful Symfony Console component.

• Automation tool
• Used to create models, views, and controllers
• Used to create dummy server
• Perform database operations

Listing All Available Commands

To view a list of all available Artisan commands, you may use the list command: php artisan list

Helper Function

• Global PHP functions
• Reduces time and effort

Helper functions are classified as follows:

• Arrays and Objects
• Paths
• Strings
• URLs
• Miscellaneous

Extensive Library

• Includes a lot of popular and commonly used libraries
• Reduces time and effort

Code snippet that allows inclusion of external libraries using the composer package manager:

Composer require < library-name >