Comparison of foreign mainstream PHP frameworks-CodeIgniter, CakePHP, ZendFramework, Symfony_PHP tutorial

Recently, I have simply used several mainstream foreign PHP frameworks (excluding domestic frameworks) that are currently used in China. I have an intuitive feeling about these frameworks. I would like to briefly share with you which ones to choose. When using, Quan serves as a reference.
The main reference frameworks include: CodeIgniter, CakePHP, ZendFramework, Symfony
Note: I have not used many frameworks seriously, I just tried them briefly. Many of my opinions may be immature or wrong. Please correct me. Grow together.
【CodeIgniter】
Official website: http://codeigniter.com
Chinese website: http://codeigniter.org.cn
Chinese manual: http://codeigniter.org.cn/ user_guide
Video tutorial: http://codeigniter.org.cn/tutorials
Test version: CodeIgniter_1.6.1
Advantages:
1. Simple configuration, all configurations are configured using PHP scripts and executed High efficiency; has basic routing function, capable of routing to a certain extent; has preliminary Layout function, capable of producing a certain level of interface appearance; the database layer is well encapsulated, and has basic MVC functions
2. Fast and concise, code Not much, high execution performance, simple framework, easy to use, low learning cost, detailed documentation; it comes with a lot of simple and easy-to-use libraries, the framework is suitable for small applications
Disadvantages:
1. Simple understanding of the Model layer For database operations
2. The framework is slightly simple and can only meet the needs of small applications, but is slightly less able to meet the needs of medium-sized applications
Evaluation:
Overall, it is worth using CodeIgniter to complete simple and fast applications. At the same time, it can construct a certain degree of layout to facilitate the reuse of templates. The data operation layer is well encapsulated, and CodeIgniter does not use many too complex design patterns, and the execution performance and code readability are both good. As for the additional library, it is not bad, simple and efficient.
【 CakePHP 】
Official website: http://www.cakephp.org
Chinese manual: http://www.1x3x.net/cakephp
Video tutorial: http://search. you.video.sina.com.cn/s?key=cakephp
Test version: cake_1.1.19.6305
Advantages:
1. CakePHP is the framework most similar to RoR, including design method and database The Active Record method of operation; the design level is very elegant, there is no extra library, all functions are pure frameworks, and the execution efficiency is not bad; the hasOne and hasMany functions of the database layer are very powerful and are more suitable for complex business processing; routing The functions and configuration functions are pretty good; the automatic scaffolding (scaffold) is very powerful; suitable for medium-sized applications; it has basically implemented every layer of MVC; it has the function of automatically operating command line scripts;
2. The documentation is relatively complete and is promoted in the country Relatively successful, most people know CakePHP, and the learning cost is medium
Disadvantages:
1. A very serious problem with CakePHP is that it understands the Model as a database layer operation, which seriously affects the ability to operate other than the database
2 . CakePHP’s cache function is slightly weak, and its configuration function is slightly weak; CakePHP is not suitable for large-scale applications, only medium-sized applications, and the learning cost is slightly higher for small-scale applications
Evaluation:
Overall, the CakePHP framework It represents a very important era and representative of the PHP framework, and currently plays a very important role. Many self-written frameworks imitate the CakePHP method, which is a landmark product; CakePHP reveals RoR’s agile development methods and Database operation is considered to be the only design idea of ​​Model, and it is an excellent tool for developing rapid applications and prototypes; similarly, it is also worth choosing as a development framework for Web 2.0 websites.
【Zend Framework】
Official website: http://framework.zend.com
Chinese manual: http://www.phpeye.com/zf
Video tutorial: http://framework .zend.com/docs/screencasts
Test version: ZendFramework-1.5.0
Advantages:
1. Officially produced, it comes with a lot of libraries, and the framework itself is written using many design patterns. The architecture is very elegant, and the execution efficiency is medium; in the MVC design, it is relatively simple, has routing functions, the configuration file is relatively powerful (can handle XML and php INI), and the various libraries are very powerful, and it is the most comprehensive among all PHP frameworks. , including that it is not only a framework, but also a large class library (replacing PEAR), which is its main feature; it can intuitively support the Model layer in addition to database operations (stronger than CodeIgniter and CakePHP), and can be easily Use the Loader function to load other newly added Classes; the Cache function is very powerful, supporting both front-end Cache and back-end Cache. The back-end Cache supports Memcache, APC, SQLite, files, etc.; the database operation function is very powerful and supports various Driver (Adapter)
2. The documentation is very complete, it is very mature in the domestic community, and is currently used by many Web 2.0 websites, and the learning cost is medium
Disadvantages:
1. The MVC function is relatively weak, and the View layer Simple implementation (same as not implemented), unable to powerfully control the front-end page
2. Without automated scripts, creating an application, including entry files, must be built manually, and the entry cost is high
3. Zend Framework as A medium-sized application framework is not a big problem, and it can barely be used as a framework for large-scale applications. However, as a very mature large-scale PHP framework, it still needs some effort
Evaluation
As an officially produced framework, Zend Framework’s ambitions are foreseeable. It wants to crowd out other frameworks and at the same time encapsulate many powerful class libraries to provide one-stop framework services. Moreover, their development team is very powerful and fully capable. With the ability to develop very powerful products, it is basically certain that Zend Framework has a bright future. If more time is spent to improve the framework. Similarly, the Zend Framework architecture itself is relatively elegant, which shows that Zend officially has many experts and is relatively advanced in design concepts. Although some functions are not fully implemented, such as the View layer, automation scripts, etc., these all depend on the future. upgrade. Generally speaking, Zend Framework is the most anticipated framework. Of course, there is no problem if you want to use it in your projects now.
【Symfony】
Official website: http://www.symfony-project.org
Chinese website: http://symfony-project.cn
Authoritative guide: http://www. symfony-project.org/book
Learning reference: http://sf.thecodecentral.com
Test version: symfony-1.0.13
Advantages:
1. Symfony is the PHP framework I know The most powerful among them, and I have been using it for a long time, but many functions have not yet been discovered; it completely implements the three layers of MVC and encapsulates everything, including $_POST, $_GET data, exception handling, debugging functions, data Detection; includes powerful caching function, automatic loading of Class (this function is very cool), powerful i18n nationalization support; has very powerful view layer operation, can contain multiple single files piecemeal; very powerful configuration function, using yml Configuration can control the running behavior of all frameworks and programs, which is so powerful that it makes people speechless; it can define various classes of its own at will, and symfony can automatically load (auto load) these classes and can be called at will in the program; it contains powerful many Hierarchical project and application management: Project --> Application --> Module --> Action, which can meet the needs of multiple applications under one project, and each layer can define its own class library, configuration file, layout; very Powerful command line operation functions, including building projects, building applications, building modules, refreshing cache, etc.;
2. Symfony is definitely the first choice for developing large and complex projects, because using Symfony will greatly save development costs and provide more When people collaborate, there will be no problems. After the basic Class is defined at the Project level, any module can be reused, greatly reusing code
Disadvantages:
1. The database operation model uses heavyweight prop and creole , but in the version I tested, they have been moved to the addon, which can be used or not
2. The cache function cannot be controlled. Every time development and debugging are always cached, you need to execute symfony cc, symfony rc to clear and rebuild the cache;
3. The efficiency is not very high, especially the process of parsing templates and reading configuration files, which takes a lot of time;
4. The learning cost is very high, and there is no mature community and documentation in China, even the Chinese manual No, it will take a lot of time to master all the functions.
Evaluation:
Symfony is definitely an enterprise-level framework, the only thing that can seemingly compete with the powerful frameworks in the Java field; powerful things, naturally It is complicated to learn, but it is also helpful for project development. Naturally, it is recommended to use Symfony to handle complex projects. I think it is worth it. The later maintenance cost is relatively low and the reusability is very strong. Correspondingly, if you use Symfony for more complex Internet projects, you must consider the issue of database distribution. Then you need to abandon the database operation layer that comes with Symfony and define it yourself. Of course, Symfony supports arbitrary Construct the model layer.
【General Comment】
The above frameworks each have their own characteristics, and they are all open source projects. However, the projects targeted by the frameworks are different. Generally speaking, CodeIngiter is more suitable for small projects, while CakePHP and Zend Framework are more suitable for medium-sized projects. Symfony is more suitable for large-scale heavyweight projects. When selecting a project, you must fully consider the customizability and scalability of the framework, because each project cannot determine whether you will make changes as your needs change.
Relatively speaking, Zend Framework and Symfony have a strong ability to cope with changes, especially the Classes in the model layer that can be customized at will, making it very convenient to add your own business or data processing classes. I personally recommend them for use in medium and large projects. frame. CodeIngiter and CakePHP can also play a significant role in small and medium-sized projects, rapid development and prototype construction, and are very suitable for the development of prototype projects with unclear goals. The best way to understand a framework is to use it, and the best way to learn it is to watch videos. :-)
Be kind and wise, when choosing a framework for a project, please carefully examine the project's needs and future changes, and then choose an appropriate framework to achieve a reasonable balance between project development speed and later maintainability. , of course, maybe it is more suitable to write a framework yourself. :-)
I have made general comments on several frameworks, and I guess many things are not on point, so I’ll just leave it at that. Comments and corrections are also welcome!