What is Laravel, and Why Should I Use It for My Project

In the past few years, creating websites and online applications has gotten easier. Even those of us who struggle with technology have gotten very good at using tools like WordPress and Wix.

There are numerous tools available to help the more experienced developer streamline the development process. Laravel is among the most helpful of those tools.

By providing a summary of the fundamentals of PHP frameworks used in web development, this article responds to the query, "What is Laravel?" A summary of Laravel's features, a list of its key components and structures, and an explanation of some of its most practical packages will come next.

What Are Web Development Services?

Web development concerns the activities involved in the construction and management of websites. It includes coding and programming, as well as designing interfaces for users as well as the back-end aspects of the server. Web development can be categorized into several areas as follows:

What is Laravel?

The open-source MVC PHP framework Laravel is reliable and simple to use. The design pattern it adheres to is model-view-controller. Laravel facilitates the development of web applications by reusing the pre-existing components of other frameworks.

As a result, the online application is more organized and useful.

Combining the fundamental characteristics of PHP web development frameworks like CodeIgniter and Yii with those of other programming languages like Ruby on Rails, Laravel provides a wide range of functionalities.

The extensive feature set of Laravel will accelerate the creation of websites.

Laravel will simplify your work if you know how to use Core PHP and Advanced PHP. If you intend to create a website from scratch, it saves a great deal of time.

Additionally, a Laravel-built website is safe and guards against a number of online threats.

This blog post aims to guide you about what is Laravel and why do you need Laravel for startups and enterprises.

Brief History of Laravel

Laravel has taken the web development world by storm, becoming one of the most popular PHP frameworks for building everything from simple websites to complex web applications. But where did this elegant and powerful framework come from?

The Early Days

Taylor Otwell created Laravel in 2011 as a more advanced alternative to the CodeIgniter framework. He wanted to address some limitations he found in CodeIgniter and incorporate modern PHP features and best practices.

The Rise of Laravel Web Development

Laravel quickly gained popularity due to its clean syntax, expressive code, and developer-friendly features. It offered a refreshing approach to PHP Laravel framework development, making it easier to build robust and maintainable web applications.

Key Milestones

Laravel 1: Released in June 2011, it included built-in support for authentication, localization, models, views, sessions, and routing.

Laravel 4: Released in May 2013, it was a complete rewrite of the framework, incorporating a package manager called Composer for easier dependency management.

Laravel 5: Released in February 2015, it introduced a directory structure for better organization, a command-line interface called Artisan, and support for scheduling tasks.

Laravel continues to evolve with new features and improvements, solidifying its position as a leading PHP framework. Its vibrant community, extensive documentation, and focus on developer experience make it a top choice for web development projects of all sizes.

How Laravel Works: Core Concepts

1. Effortless Authentication:

Laravel makes it super easy to add user authentication to your web application. You can quickly set up login, registration, and password reset functionalities, saving you tons of development time.

2. MVC Architecture:

Laravel follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which helps organize your code and makes it easier to maintain.

This leads to better performance and cleaner code, which is always a win for developers.

3. Flexible Routing:

Laravel's routing system gives you fine-grained control over how your application responds to different URLs. You can define routes with ease and even generate URLs automatically.

4. Elegant Templates:

Laravel's Blade templating engine allows you to create beautiful, dynamic views with minimal code. It's like having a designer on your development team.

5. Rock-Solid Testing:

Laravel makes unit testing a breeze, ensuring that your code works as expected and preventing unexpected bugs from creeping in.

6. Object-Oriented Libraries:

Laravel comes with a collection of pre-built, object-oriented libraries that add powerful functionalities to your application, such as encryption, security, and user management.

7. Modular Design:

Laravel's modular architecture makes it easy to build scalable and maintainable applications.

You can break down your application into smaller, independent modules, making it easier to manage and update.

8. Lean and Mean with Lumen:

Need to build a micro-service or a lightweight API? Lumen, Laravel's micro-framework, is your go-to tool. It's fast, efficient, and perfect for lean development.

9. Streamlined Form Handling:

Laravel's form request feature simplifies form validation and handling, making it easier to process user input.

Beyond the Basics

Laravel offers even more features that make it a top choice for developers, including:

Laravel Eloquent ORM:

This powerful object-relational mapper (ORM) makes it easy to interact with your database, simplifying data access and manipulation.

Laravel Forge:

This server management tool simplifies the deployment and management of your Laravel applications.

Laravel Vapor:

This serverless deployment platform allows you to deploy your Laravel applications to AWS Lambda with ease.

Key Features of Laravel That Make It Powerful

1. The MVC architecture

Laravel and numerous other web frameworks use the architectural pattern known as MVC (Model-View-Controller). It divides the program into three primary parts:

Model: Shows the application's data and business logic. It retrieves, inserts, and updates data while interacting with the database.

View: Manages the presentation layer and shows the user the data. It transfers the input to the controller for processing after receiving it.

The Blade templating engine is commonly used in Laravel to construct views.

Controller: Serves as a bridge connecting the view and the model. It interprets input from the user, pulls information from the model, and sends it to the view for presentation.

Controllers manage the logic of the application, making choices in response to user input.

For instance, a user submits a form (input) in a Laravel application. After receiving the entry, the controller works with the model to store the data in the database.

The view then receives the result and shows the user a confirmation message.

This could include developing an exclusive e-business site, club, or any other aspect of the business as agreed upon.

2. Eloquent ORM

The Laravel framework offers the Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) mechanism known as Laravel Eloquent ORM.

It gives developers a simple and expressive approach to working with database tables and enables them to interface with databases using PHP syntax.

Stated differently, it facilitates developers' use of straightforward and intelligible code while working with databases.

Developers can utilize Eloquent to communicate with the database using PHP syntax rather than creating intricate SQL queries.

As an illustration, suppose that our database contains a "users" table. Eloquent allows us to express this table with a "User" model. Then, we may execute database operations using this model.

For example, if you want to obtain user info, you can type this instead of creating a lengthy PHP code.

3. Engine Blade Templating

A blade is a unique Laravel tool that aids developers in creating an application's or website's visual component.

A Laravel templating tool that functions similarly to a simplified language for fusing PHP and HTML code. With Blade, developers can write clean, well-structured code and quickly construct web pages.

Simply create a view file and save it with the ".blade.php" extension rather than the ".php" extension to use the Blade templating engine in Laravel.

It can be helpful to work with a remote developer who is familiar with the Blade. Therefore, to expedite the development process, think about using a Laravel developer.

4. Authentication and Authorization

Authentication aids in confirming the user's identity in Laravel. In the meantime, authorization refers to the user's actions after verification.

In order to provide access to protected resources, authentication entails verifying user credentials, such as usernames and passwords.

Authorization, on the other hand, entails establishing permissions and access rules according to user roles.

To put it briefly, authorization regulates access to particular features or resources according to predetermined rules and roles, whereas authentication confirms the identity of the user.

5. Sturdy Routing Framework

Developers can handle HTTP requests and URLs with ease thanks to Laravel's powerful routing mechanism. It functions similarly to a map, assisting your web application in comprehending and reacting to various URLs.

It enables you to specify which URL should lead to which action or page in your application's routes.

The routing system may still comprehend and interpret a URL that contains dynamic elements, like a product name or user ID.

Additionally, it simplifies the process of creating URLs for the various pages in your application.

Our list has nearly reached the halfway point. There are many features in Laravel, however, this list only includes a handful of the most important ones.

Consider hiring a remote developer from Custom Web Forge if you want to use these features to create a strong online presence.

We offer top-notch Laravel developers and development solutions for you and your company.

6. Scheduling Tasks

Developers frequently have to wait for certain tasks to execute at predetermined times. Laravel allows you to schedule tasks.

Automating the completion of repetitive activities at predetermined intervals is a boon for remote developers.

Developers can configure jobs to execute hourly, daily, weekly, or even at arbitrary intervals by specifying scheduled commands.

Task scheduling is dependable and efficient since it does away with the need for manual task execution.

7. Handling Errors

During the coding and development process, mistakes are frequent. It can be simpler to handle errors with Laravel. Developers can effectively handle and report mistakes thanks to Laravel's strong error-handling system.

Laravel records the exception when an issue happens and offers choices for logging the error, presenting an easy-to-use error page, or personalizing the error response.

For instance, if a database connection fails, Laravel can log the issue for debugging or catch the exception and show the user a nice error message.

8. Artisan CLI

One of Laravel's most potent tools is the command line interface, Artisan. It facilitates the execution of several commands and standard development chores.

Developers can run tests, manage database migrations, generate boilerplate code, clear caches, and more using Artisan.

By automating tedious operations and providing a convenient command-line method for managing Laravel projects, Artisan CLI significantly increases productivity.

This and other built-in capabilities make Laravel development services quick for all kinds of tasks.

9. Strong Security

Without sacrificing security, Laravel makes all development processes simple and reliable. Developers may avoid secure password hashing, cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) threats with Laravel.

To thwart malicious attacks that take advantage of user sessions, Laravel, for instance, automatically creates CSRF tokens to validate requests.

These security features assist developers and Laravel development businesses in creating apps that are highly secure against potential security threats.

10. Examining Units

In Laravel, unit testing is the process of examining individual code units or components, like functions, methods, or classes, to make sure they operate as intended.

It encourages code quality, helps find and address defects early, and gives users assurance about the reliability of the application.

PHPUnit is a testing framework that is built into Laravel and is commonly used for unit testing.

To ensure the dependability of your application's basic operation, you can, for instance, develop tests to confirm that a class method operates as intended or that a particular function provides the correct result.

Why Should I Use Laravel for My Project?

After responding to the query, "What is Laravel?" the next query is, "Why use Laravel?" A wide range of powerful tools offered by Laravel facilitate the creation of web applications more quickly and easily, and the resulting codebases are organized and simple to maintain.

Among the particular advantages of Laravel are:

Learning Laravel Is Simple

If you have the right background, learning Laravel is not too difficult. To utilize Laravel effectively, one must have a basic understanding of PHP and object-oriented programming (OOP) principles.

It also helps to know at least a little HTML. Additionally, understanding relational database management systems like MySQL or PostgreSQL is beneficial for any MVC architecture.

Laravel Makes the Development Process Easier

Routing, authentication, migration, caching, and other common chores in a wide range of web development projects were made easier with Laravel's original design.

Laravel's Composer and user-friendly, expressive command line interfaces make it easy to include pre-made modules into an application.

For more seasoned developers, Laravel has a wealth of online documentation that is a fantastic place to start.

There are also many other online learning tools available for people of all ability levels.

Laravel Offers Resources for All Levels of Developers

As a progressive framework, Laravel boasts a wide range of features that will be beneficial to users of all skill levels.

For instance, beginning packages for modules like fundamental authentication features are available to novices. Below is a more thorough discussion of many of these technologies.

Structure of a Laravel project

More seasoned users can create their own authentication procedures and link them with their favorite frontends by utilizing the engines that underpin the starter kits.

Laravel Easily Scales

It is very scalable to use Laravel. Laravel apps can handle millions of queries every month thanks to built-in support for quick, distributed caching systems.

Additionally, Laravel supports Laravel Vapor, a serverless deployment technology with great scalability that is built on AWS.

Laravel Features a Vast Community and Ecosystem

A sizable developer community supports Laravel's amazing ecosystem. Since Laravel is one of the most popular MVC PHP frameworks, there is a sizable collection of Laravel packages and applications accessible.

Third-party and official Laravel packages are easily accessible.

Authentication, server management, subscription billing, browser testing and automation, and many other topics are covered in Laravel's official packages.

Several websites, such as Packalyst and Laravel News, offer third-party packages.

The Laravel developer community also has a wealth of material available.

There are numerous Laravel forums, such as Laravel.io, The Laravel subreddit, and Laracasts, where developers can find answers to their questions.

Real-World Cases for Laravel

Laravel's versatility and power have made it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes across various industries. Here are a few examples of how Laravel is being used in the real world:

1. E-commerce Platforms:

Laravel is a perfect fit for building robust and scalable e-commerce platforms. Its features, like user authentication, payment gateway integration, and inventory management, make it easy to create online stores that can handle high traffic and complex transactions.

Many businesses opt for Laravel due to its capability to integrate with eCommerce platforms.

Example: A fashion retailer uses Laravel e-commerce to build a custom e-commerce platform with advanced filtering options, personalized recommendations, and a seamless checkout process.

2. SaaS Applications:

Laravel's extensive toolkit and modular architecture make it ideal for developing Software as a Service (SaaS) applications.

Its features, like user management, subscription billing, and API integrations, streamline the development process.

Example: A project management tool built with Laravel offers a range of features for team collaboration, task management, and progress tracking, all within a user-friendly interface through Laravel SaaS development.

3. Enterprise Solutions:

Large companies trust Laravel for its security, scalability, and ability to handle complex business logic.

Its robust features and maintainable codebase make it a reliable choice for enterprise-level applications.

Example: A financial institution uses Laravel to build a secure and scalable platform for online banking, handling sensitive transactions and user data with the utmost security.

4. Custom Web Applications:

Laravel’s flexibility makes it an ideal choice for building custom web applications to specific business needs.

Whether it's a simple website or a complex web app, Laravel provides the tools and features to make it happen.

Example: A non-profit organization uses Laravel to create a Custom Laravel application for managing donations, volunteer sign-ups, and event registrations, streamlining their operations and improving efficiency.

Laravel Ecosystem and Community Support

i. Laravel Nova

The Laravel Nova administration panel is one of your application's most recent features.

This package provides an administrative aspect administration and customization process simplification tool for your Laravel application.

It also offers a robust administrative panel that is helpful for using the Laravel PHP framework to create online apps.

By offering features and tools that enhance the application and speed up the process, Laravel Nova facilitates the building of web application admin interfaces.

These Laravel frameworks enable you to create Vue SPAs. Another benefit is that developers can produce SPAs quickly.

ii. Laravel Forge

Specifically designed for PHP and Laravel websites, it is a server administration tool. Laravel Forge simplifies the configuration and deployment of applications by automating server management, software installation, and deployment.

For application security, it also offers firewall authentication and Secure Socket Shell.

While accounting for server complexity, the application deployment tool offers a simple dashboard with an intuitive user interface.

Developers can create applications that run on different cache and database servers by using Laravel Forge. Its flexibility, which lets you switch providers without changing your server's configuration, is an additional advantage.

iii. Laravel Breeze

You may configure an authentication system for your application with this pre-made application. New apps can use this portable scaffolding starter kit to add features like registration, login, password reset, and verification.

It also comes with Laravel Blade, an application that automatically authenticates users when they register for your Laravel application. Blade utilizes controllers, views, and routers.

Breeze provides scaffolding options on Livewire or Inertia wires as an extra function.

Additionally, it enables users to alter the framework using Vue or React code based on inertia. Tailwind CSS frameworks enable Breeze to produce sophisticated views and user interfaces.

However, Laravel Breeze is a more refined iteration of Laravel UI that simplifies functional testing, restarts, and configuration.

iv. Laravel Dusk

This Laravel application builder is a user-friendly browser for automation. Laravel Dusk is a browser framework for expressive testing and automation that makes it feasible to write automated tests that work like human ones.

In other words, you will avoid the need for manual testing by using Laravel Dusk. For example, this will help you run code when necessary and fill out forms.

Additionally, it enables you to test your application on a regular basis to ensure that it satisfies the requirements.

To utilize Dusk, your computer does not need to have the JDK or Selenium installed. Consequently, it provides a route for Laravel developers to test the graphical elements and functionality of an application in a browser environment simulator.

Laravel vs. the Rest: A PHP Framework Showdown

In the world of PHP frameworks, Laravel often takes center stage. But how does it really compare to other popular contenders like Symfony and CodeIgniter?

Let's dive into this framework showdown to help you choose the best PHP framework for your project.

Laravel's Strengths

• • Ease of Use: Laravel is known for its elegant syntax and developer-friendly features. It's relatively easy to learn and use, even for developers who are new to PHP frameworks.
• • Rapid Development: Laravel's built-in features and tools, like Artisan (command-line interface) and Blade (templating engine), streamline the development process, allowing you to build applications faster.
• • Scalability: Laravel is designed for building robust, scalable applications. Its modular architecture and support for caching and queuing systems make it easy to scale your application as your needs evolve.

Laravel vs Symfony: A Battle of Giants

Symfony is a mature and highly flexible framework known for its stability and performance. It's a great choice for large-scale, complex projects that require a high degree of customization.

• • When to Choose Symfony over Laravel: If you need a highly customizable framework with a strong focus on performance and stability, and your project demands a high degree of control, Symfony might be a better fit than Laravel.

Laravel vs CodeIgniter: Simplicity vs. Power

CodeIgniter is a lightweight and easy-to-learn framework that's perfect for smaller projects or developers who prefer a minimalist approach.

• • When to Choose CodeIgniter over Laravel: If you're building a simple web application or need a framework that's easy to learn and get started with quickly, CodeIgniter might be a good option.

Laravel and Performance Optimization

Laravel is known for its speed and efficiency, but even the best framework can benefit from a little optimization. Here's how to make your Laravel application run like a cheetah on Red Bull:

Best Practices for Improving the Performance of Laravel Applications

1. Upgrade to the Latest and Greatest

Just like your phone needs the latest software updates, your Laravel app needs to be running on the latest PHP version.

Newer versions often come with performance improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements. It's like giving your app a fresh coat of paint and a tune-up all at once.

2. Optimize Your Composer

Composer is a handy tool for managing your project's dependencies (think of it like an app store for your code). But sometimes, it can load unnecessary files that slow down your application.

By optimizing your Composer settings, you can trim the fat and keep things running lean and mean.

3. Streamline Autoloaded Services

When your Laravel application starts up, it loads a bunch of services automatically. Some of these might not be necessary for your specific app.

By reducing the number of autoloaded services, you can give your app a performance boost.

4. Caching: Your Performance Secret Weapon

Caching is like storing frequently accessed data in a handy spot so your app doesn't have to keep searching for it.

Laravel offers powerful caching features that can significantly improve your application's speed. Here are a few key caching strategies:

5. Laravel Octane: Explore the Power of Swoole and RoadRunner

For those seeking extreme performance, Laravel Octane is your secret weapon.

It leverages high-performance servers like Swoole and RoadRunner to supercharge your application, delivering lightning-fast response times and handling massive traffic loads.

Here are a few more tips to optimize your Laravel application's performance:

• • Database Optimization: Use efficient database queries, indexing, and caching to reduce database load.
• • Code Optimization: Write clean, efficient code and avoid unnecessary database queries or loops.
• • Asset Optimization: Optimize your images, CSS, and JavaScript files to reduce file sizes and improve loading times.

The Performance Payoff

By implementing these performance optimization techniques, you can create a Laravel application that's not only fast and efficient but also delivers an exceptional user experience. And that's a win-win for everyone!

Security in Laravel

Security is paramount in today's digital landscape, and Laravel takes it seriously. This robust framework comes with a suite of built-in security features and tools that help you protect your web application from common threats.

Built-in Security Features

Laravel provides out-of-the-box protection against common web vulnerabilities, including:

• • CSRF Protection (Laravel CSRF protection): Laravel automatically generates CSRF tokens for forms, preventing malicious requests from unauthorized sources.
• • SQL Injection Prevention: Laravel uses prepared SQL statements to prevent attackers from injecting malicious code into your database queries.
• • XSS Protection: Laravel's templating engine escapes user input by default, mitigating cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks that can compromise user data.

Secure Authentication

Laravel makes it easy to implement secure authentication with features like:

• • Password Hashing: Laravel uses strong hashing algorithms like bcrypt and Argon2 to securely store user passwords, making them virtually impossible to crack.
• • Authentication System: Laravel's built-in authentication system provides a simple and secure way to manage user logins, registrations, and password resets.
• • Authorization: Laravel's authorization features allow you to define fine-grained access control rules, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific resources or perform certain actions.

Simplified User Management

Laravel's authentication and authorization systems simplify user management, making it easy to:

• • Create and manage user roles and permissions.
• • Implement multi-factor authentication for added security.
• • Integrate with social login providers.

Who Should Use Laravel?

Whether you're a solo developer tinkering with a new idea or a large enterprise building a complex application, Laravel has something to offer.

It's like the Swiss Army knife of PHP frameworks, versatile and adaptable to various needs.

Laravel for Startups: Hit the Ground Running

For startups, speed is key. Laravel's rapid development cycle allows you to build and launch your product quickly, getting your idea to market in record time. Plus, its scalability ensures your application can grow with your business.

Laravel for Enterprises: Built for the Big Leagues

When it comes to enterprise-level applications, security and reliability are paramount. Laravel's robust security features and ability to handle complex applications make it a trusted choice for large organizations.

Freelancers: Your Solo Development Sidekick

Laravel's large and supportive community is a lifesaver for freelancers. If you ever get stuck, there's always someone to lend a helping hand.

Plus, its ease of use and clear documentation make it a joy to work with, even when you're flying solo.

Best Framework for PHP Developers

Laravel is built for teamwork. Its built-in version control and collaboration features, like Laravel Forge and Git integration, make it easy for development teams to work together seamlessly.

How to Get Started with Laravel

Excited to start building amazing web applications with Laravel? Here's a quick guide to get you up and running:

1. Install with Composer

Think of Composer as an app store for your code. It's a tool that helps you do Laravel installation and manage its dependencies. Just follow these simple steps:

• • Download and install Composer on your computer.
• • Open your terminal or command prompt and run the command composer create-project --prefer-dist laravel/laravel my-app (replace "my-app" with your project name).

2. Set Up Your Project

Once Laravel is installed, you can start building your application. Here is the basic Laravel setup guide:

• • Routes: Define how your application responds to different URLs.
• • Controllers: Handle user requests and interact with your data.
• • Views: Create the templates that display your content to users.

3. Learn and Explore

Laravel has a wealth of learning resources to help you on your journey:

• • Official Documentation: The official Laravel documentation is a comprehensive guide to everything in Laravel.
• • Community Tutorials: The Laravel community is incredibly supportive and has created tons of helpful tutorials.
• • Online Courses: There are many online courses available that can teach you the ins and outs of Laravel development.

Conclusion

So, what is Laravel? It's more than just a PHP framework; it's a gateway to building elegant, efficient, and scalable web applications.

What is Laravel?

It's a powerful PHP framework that makes building web applications easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

Why Choose Laravel?

• • Developer-friendly: Elegant syntax and easy-to-use features.
• • Rapid Development: Built-in tools and features that streamline the development process.
• • Robust Security: A focus on security with features like CSRF protection and password hashing.
• • High Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency.
• • Scalable: Built to handle growth and adapt to your evolving needs.
• • Strong Community: A large and active community provides support and resources.

Who is Laravel for?

Everyone! From startups to enterprises, freelancers to development teams.