The 11 most popular PHP frameworks in 2023

What is PHP framework? Why use PHP framework? This article will talk to you about the advantages of PHP frameworks, and summarize and share 11 of the most popular PHP frameworks in 2023. I hope it will be helpful to everyone!

1: What is the PHP framework?

The PHP framework is simply written in the PHP language. It can improve development efficiency, create more stable programs, and reduce repeated writing by developers during the project development process. As for the code infrastructure, the most popular ones in China are ThinkPHP and Laravel frameworks.

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2: Why use the PHP framework?

There are many advantages to using a PHP framework compared to coding from scratch using the native PHP language.

1. Speed ​​up development progress

Because the PHP framework has built-in libraries and tools, it greatly shortens the time required for project development.

For example, the CakePHP framework has the Bake command line tool, which can quickly create any framework code needed in the application. Several popular PHP frameworks have integrated the PHPUnit library for easy testing.

2. Less code to write

Using the functions built into the framework means that there is no need to write too much original code.

3. There are many functional resource libraries

There are many common tasks that developers need to perform in web applications, such as form validation, data cleaning and CRUD operations ( Create, read, update and delete).

Using the framework, you don’t have to write your own functions for these tasks, just use the functions encapsulated by the framework.

4. Follow good coding practices

PHP frameworks usually follow coding best practices, for example, they neatly divide the code into multiple directories based on functionality. .

#These directories force you to organize your code in a cleaner, neater, and more maintainable way.

The framework also has its own naming conventions for variables, directories, spaces, etc. You should follow these conventions.

5. More secure than applications written by yourself

There may be many PHP security threats after the project goes online, including cross-site scripting, SQL injection attacks and cross-site requests Forgery. Unless you take the correct countermeasures to protect your program, your PHP web application will be vulnerable to attacks.

While using a PHP framework does not replace writing secure code, it can minimize the opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. Good frameworks have built-in data cleaning capabilities that protect against the common threats mentioned above.

6. Better teamwork

Projects developed by the team may go wrong if the following aspects are not clear:

• Documentation

• Design Decisions

• Normative Standards

Use a framework to set clear goals for the project basic rules. Even if other developers are unfamiliar with the framework, they are able to quickly learn and work together.

7. Easy to maintain

The PHP framework encourages code refactoring and promotes DRY development (DRY-Don't Repeat Yourself), resulting in a more streamlined The code base requires less maintenance.

You also don’t have to worry about maintaining the framework core because the framework developers will do it for you.

3: What you need to know before using the PHP framework

1. PHP native basics

Before using the PHP framework, you must first master the native basics of PHP!

If you don’t have a good grasp of the language, it will be difficult for you to master the PHP encapsulated framework.

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2. 面向对象

了解PHP面向对象编程也是必不可少的一步，因为大多数现代PHP框架都是面向对象的，确保理解类、对象、继承、方法、 traits和访问修饰符等概念。

3. 数据库

由于许多web应用程序的数据获取都需要连接数据库，因此您应该了解数据库和SQL语法，每个PHP框架都有自己受支持的数据库列表。

4. 对象关系映射（ORM）模型

ORM是一种使用面向对象语法而不是SQL语法访问数据库数据的方法，使用ORM，您可以用熟悉的PHP编写数据库查询，但有时也可能需要使用SQL语句。

许多PHP框架都内置了自己的ORM，例如，Laravel使用了Eloquent ORM。其他框架则使用一种类似于ORM的开源原则。

5. WEB服务器环境

了解Apache和Nginx等web服务器的工作原理对于框架的使用也是很有帮助的，因为您可能需要在服务器上配置文件，以使应用程序以最佳方式运行。

您可能会在本地进行大部分开发，因此您也需要了解localhost。另一种选择是使用Vagrant和VirtualBox在虚拟环境中创建和测试应用程序。

6. 模型-视图-控制器架构模式

PHP框架通常遵循模型-视图-控制器（MVC）设计模式。这个概念将数据的操作与数据的渲染分离开来。

Model模型存储业务逻辑和应用程序数据，它将数据传递给视图层。用户与视图交互，然后交由控制器处理这些交互指令，接着控制器向模型发出这些指令，循环继续。

简而言之：

• 模型是关于数据的，

• 视图是关于页面渲染的，

• 控制器是关于行为的。

关于MVC模式的工作原理，我们可以类比在酒吧点鸡尾酒。

用户就好比到达酒吧（视图）需要酒水的顾客，用户将他们的酒水订单交给酒保（控制器）。

控制器根据模型——配方、配料和设备完成订单。根据鸡尾酒的不同，他们可能会使用以下任何一种或其他物品：

·含酒精饮料 ·果汁 ·冰 ·柠檬 ·玻璃 ·鸡尾酒摇壶 ·油橄榄 ·搅拌器

成品鸡尾酒放在吧台上供用户享用。如果用户想再喝一杯，他们必须先与控制器通话。他们不允许进入模型并调制自己的饮料。

在PHP应用程序术语中，MVC可以对应以下内容：

• 模型：数据库

• 视图：一个或多个HTML页面

• 控制器：访问和更新数据库的功能

7. 命令行界面（CLI）

Laravel有自己的CLI Artisan控制台。使用Artisan中的“生成”命令，可以快速构建项目的模型、控制器和其他组件。

熟悉命令行也是使用Composer PHP包管理器的关键。Yii框架是使用Composer来安装和管理项目依赖 （应用程序运行所需的包）的几种框架之一。

Packagist是可以使用Composer安装的软件包的主要存储库。一些最流行的Composer软件包使用Symfony框架运行。

五：您应该如何考量一款PHP框架好不好？

以下是小编为您总结的为项目选择最佳PHP框架时需要考虑的一些因素：

首先，如果您刚接触PHP框架，学习路线不应该太曲折。

如果框架太难掌握，你就不想花宝贵的时间学习它。幸运的是，PHP是最容易学习的编程语言之一。

接下来，您需要一个易于使用并节省时间的框架。

The PHP framework should meet the technical requirements of your project, most frameworks have a minimum PHP version and certain PHP extensions they use.

Additionally, you need to make sure that the framework you choose supports the database you choose and that you can use the framework with the web server you are deploying to.

Choose a framework with balanced functionality. For some projects, a feature-rich framework can be a boon, and if you don't need many features, then opt for a stripped-down framework.

Some important features include:

• Testing

• ##Cache Storage

• Template Engine: A way to output PHP in HTML using PHP classes

• Safety

If you need to build scalable applications Program, please choose a framework that supports the above functions.

Finally, if you want to use the PHP framework flexibly, you cannot do without good documentation and ecological support.

A framework with a large and vibrant community is also more likely to stand the test of time and be able to help you when you get stuck.

Six: What are the best PHP frameworks in 2022?

The following are some of the best PHP frameworks currently in use:

1.ThinkPHP (Most used in China, easy to get started, suitable for beginners )

2. Laravel (Most used in the world, known as the most elegant framework, difficult to get started)

#3. Symfony

4. CodeIgniter (referred to as CI, very lightweight)

5. Zend Framework / Laminas Project

6. Yii (Framework) (mostly used in domestic and foreign trade industries)

7. CakePHP

8. Slim

9. Phalcon

10. FuelPHP

##11. Fat-Free Framework

ThinkPHP

ThinkPHP was developed by Chinese people and is a free, open source, object-oriented, lightweight PHP development framework. Born in early 2006, it is the most used in China. The 23rd PHP live class teaching project of

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##Laravel

Billed as the "PHP framework for web craftsmen," Laravel was developed by Taylor Otwell, who wanted a framework that included features that CodeIgniter didn't have, such as user authentication.

Laravel quick introduction

Release date: June 2011

Current version: Laravel8 - Released on September 8, 2020.

Technical requirements:

##PHP>=7.2.5 (or use Laravel Homestead)

• Supports Composer installation

• The database supports MySQL 5.6, PostgreSQL 9.4, SQLite 3.8.8, and SQL Server 2017.

• Advantages of Laravel

Laravel Homestead is Lavarel’s official pre-packaged Vagrant Box, which provides you with an excellent development environment. There is no need for you to install PHP, Web server and any other server software on your local machine. Mom no longer has to worry about messing up your operating system! If you are a Mac user, you can also choose to use Laravel Valet as your development environment. Laravel Valet supports frameworks such as Symfony, CakePHP 3, Slim and Zend, and WordPress.

Laravel uses a template engine called Blade. One advantage it has over other template engines is that it can use PHP in Blade, which other engines cannot.

Packalyst is a collection of Laravel software packages, with more than 15,000 software packages that can be used in projects.

Laravel provides a range of security features and methods, including the following:

Authentication

• Authorization

• Email Verification

• Encryption

• Hash

• Password reset

Laravel Eloquent ORM and Fluent Query Builder prevent SQL injection attacks when using PDO parameter binding.

Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection is also enabled by default, and whenever you define an HTML form in your application, you should include a hidden CSRF _token field in the form.

Artisan Console for Laravel The command line tool speeds up development by allowing developers to automate repetitive tasks and quickly generate framework code.

If you need to benchmark PHP, Laravel is the fastest PHP framework you can choose from.

The Laravel ecosystem has several useful tools, such as Mix for compiling CSS and JS resources, and Socialite for OAuth authentication.

Laravel benefits from a large developer community (like WordPress).

The editor has compiled some community addresses for you:

• Laracasts: Learning portal including courses, blogs, podcasts and forums

• Laravel.io: A community portal with over 45,000 users.

• The Laravel subreddit: A community portal for 50,000 Laravel artisans.

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Symfony

Symfony is both a PHP framework and A collection of PHP components for building websites.

Symfony quick introduction

Release date: October 2005

Current version: Symfony5.1.4

Technical requirements:

• PHP>=7.2.5

• Support Composer installation

Symfony Advantages

Symfony is the best choice for websites and applications that require scalability. Its modular component system is flexible, allowing you to choose the components you need for a variety of projects.

Symfony supports most databases in popular PHP frameworks:

• Drizzle

• MySQL

• Oracle

• PostgreSQL

• SAP Sybase SQL Anywhere

• SQLite

• SQLServer

The best way to interact with the database is through the Doctrine ORM.

Symfony uses a data mapper to map objects to the database. This will keep the object model and database schema separate, which means if you need to change a column of the data table, you don’t need to make multiple changes in the code base. .

Using the built-in toolbarDebugging

Debugging a Symfony project is very easy.

Symfony uses the Twig

template engine which is easy to learn, fast and secure.

Packagist lists more than 4000 Symfony packages

ready for you to download and use.

Symfony has commercial support from Sensio Labs. This means that unlike most other PHP frameworks, Symfony has a professional support team and it also has long-term version support, with a support period of 3 years.

CodeIgniter

###

CodeIgniter框架可以帮助您快速构建web应用程序，因为它具有最小的配置。

CodeIgniter快速了解

发布日期：2006年2月

当前版本：CodeIgniter4.0.3

技术要求：

• PHP>=7.2

• 数据库支持MySQL、PostgreSQL、SQLite3

CodeIgniter的优点

CodeIgniter以其运行速度著称，它是我们在PHP基准测试中尝试的四个PHP框架中速度第二快的。

CodeIgniter框架的占用资源很小（1.2MB），您可以添加所需的组件。

CodeIgniter很灵活：它鼓励使用MVC架构进行开发，但您也可以编写非MVC应用程序。

该框架内置了对CSRF和XSS攻击的防御措施，以及上下文相关的转义和内容安全策略。

CodeIgniter支持多种缓存方法，以加快应用程序的运行速度。

如前所述，与其他框架相比，CodeIgniter具有简单的学习曲线，并且具有很强的可扩展性。

CodeIgniter的社区由一个论坛和Slack组组成。

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Zend Framework / Laminas Project

Zend框架是一个久负盛名的PHP框架，现在正在向Laminas Project过渡。

如果您的项目正在使用Zend, 小编强烈建议您将项目迁移到Laminas，因为Zend不再更新。

Laminas Project由3部分组成：

1. Laminas组件和MVC

2. Mezzio

3. Laminas API工具

Laminas 快速了解

发布日期：2006年2月

当前版本：3.0.0 (Zend) or 1.3.0 (Laminas)

技术要求：

• PHP>=5.6（Zend）或>=7.3（Laminas）

• 支持Composer方式的安装

• 数据库支持MariaDB、MySQL、Oracle、IBM DB2、Microsoft SQL Server、PostgreSQL、SQLite和Informix Dynamic Server

Laminas/Zend的优点

Zend框架的下载量超过5.7亿，它也是企业使用最多的PHP框架。Zend遵循PHP框架互操作组（PHP Framework Interop Group 简称为PHP-FIG）标准，这意味着其代码可以轻松地移植到其他框架。

与Symfony一样，您可以使用所需的组件，您可以使用Zend构建RESTful API。

Laminas社区有一个论坛和Slack组，用于开发者协作和框架支持。

Yii (Framework)

这个框架的名字叫Yii，在汉语中的意思是“简单而进化”。它还代表“Yes, It Is!”

Yii 快速了解

发布日期：2008年10月

当前版本：Yii2.0.35

技术要求：

• PHP>=5.4.0 推荐PHP7以上版本

• 支持Composer方式的安装

• 数据库支持SQLite、MySQL、PostgreSQL、MSSQL或Oracle

Yii 的优点

你可以在几分钟内快速上手。因为它的文档编写良好，易于理解。

Yii框架有几个安全措施，如bcrypt密码哈希、加密、身份验证和授权。它的文档中提供了防止SQL注入、XSS和CSRF攻击的最佳实例，不容错过。

Gii代码生成器可以快速为您构建骨架代码，节省开发时间。

Yii支持四种类型的缓存来加速web应用程序：数据缓存、片段缓存、页面缓存和HTTP缓存。

您可以在Yii项目中运行第三方代码。

Yii社区通过Slack或IRC提供在线实时支持。Yii的生态圈还包括一个讨论论坛和社交媒体渠道。该社区向其活跃成员颁发名人堂徽章和参赛机会。

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CakePHP

CakePHP是一个快速、干净的PHP开发框架。

CakePHP 快速了解

发布日期：2005年4月

当前版本：CakePHP4.1.1

技术要求：

• PHP>=7.2 推荐PHP7.4

• 支持Composer方式的安装

• 数据库支持MySQL 5.6+, MariaDB 5.6+, PostgreSQL 9.4+, SQLite 3.8, SQL Server 2012+

CakePHP的优点

CakePHP配置最少、最容易上手，因为您不必处理XML或YAML文件。一旦完成了数据库配置，就可以开始愉快编码了。

CakePHP有自己的内置ORM，使用起来既快速又简单，它的安全特性包括加密、密码哈希、表单数据保护和CSRF防御。

CakePHP的组件和助手函数简化了开发，减少了您必须执行的普通任务的数量。

Github提供了一个有用的CakePHP资源和插件列表。

https://github.com/friendsofcake/awesome-cakephp

Slim

Slim是一个精简、灵活的微型PHP框架，由JoshLockhart创建。它关注于接收HTTP请求、调用回调和返回HTTP响应。

Slim 快速了解

发布日期：2010年9月 

当前版本：Slim4.5.0 

技术要求：

• PHP>=7.2

• 具有URL重写的Web服务器

Slim的优点

Slim的代码库很精简，因为它没有第三方依赖关系，因此，运行速度非常快。

Slim特别适合构建小型应用程序和程序接口，此外Slim还集成了第一方和第三方组件。

Slim很容易学习和理解。你可以在几分钟内运行一个“Hello World”应用程序。Slim被Sland网站上的开发人员评为最佳的PHP框架。

Tidelift提供对Slim的专业支持。

Phalcon

Phalcon是为提高速度而构建的PHP框架，它最初是作为以Zephir和C编写的web服务器的扩展而出现的，但是您不需要了解C。Phalcon可以使开发人员使用由框架生成的PHP类和命名空间。

Phalcon 快速了解

发布日期：2012年11月 

当前版本：Phalcon4.0.6

技术要求：

• PHP>=7.2

• PSR扩展

Phalcon的优点

Phalcon设计的初衷是使项目快速运行，因为它具有以下特点：

• 架构简单。

• Zephir、C扩展和PHP的一次性加载。

• 代码是编译的，而不是解释的，因此速度更快。

• 内存常驻，意味着您可以随时在需要时调用它。

• 与大多数其他PHP框架不同，Phalcon不使用文件读取和文件统计信息，从而提高了性能。

由于Phalcon是松散耦合的，因此您可以创建自己的目录结构，再者Phalcon底层代码不存在于项目目录中，这一点使得代码变得很轻量级。

Phalcon的安全组件有助于密码哈希和CSRF保护，模板引擎Volt速度非常快，并且附带了很多扩展类库，可以帮助您轻松创建视图。

遇到任何问题，您可以通过Phalcon的文档、论坛、Discord chat、Stack Overflow和多个社交媒体平台寻求解决方案与支持。

FuelPHP

FuelPHP是一个社区驱动的PHP框架，由300多个贡献者参与完成。

FuelPHP 快速了解

发布日期：2011年6月 

当前版本：FuelPHP1.8.2

技术要求：

• PHP>=5.4

• 任何wed服务器

FuelPHP的优点

FuelPHP也采用了MVC架构模式，但也支持HMVC(Hierarchical Model View Controller)，即在控制器和视图之间添加另一层。

HMVC设计模式的优点是：

• 更好的代码组织

• 更大的模块化

• 更具扩展性

• 鼓励代码重用

您可以为您的项目选择所需要的文件和文件夹结构，因为FuelPHP在这方面的约束很少。

此外，FuelPHP非常重视安全性，具有以下特性：

• 输出编码 

• CSRF保护 

• 输入、URI和XSS过滤 

• 用户的输入会被转义后才参与组建SQL语句

FuelPHP has its own command line utility - oil, which you can use to perform tasks, debug code and generate public components.

In addition, FuelPHP’s ORM function is very powerful, but it is also very lightweight. You can join the FuelPHP community on the FuelPHP forum, Facebook and Twitter.

Fat-Free-Framework

##Like Slim, Fat-Free-Framework (referred to as F3 ) is also a micro-framework that aims to achieve a balance between efficient features, framework simplicity, ease of use, and speed.

Fat-Free-Framework quick introduction

Release date: 2009

Current version: Fat-Free-Framework3.7.2

Technical requirements:

• PHP>=5.4

• The database supports MySQL, SQLite, MSSQL/Sybase, PostgreSQL and MongoDB.

Advantages of Fat-Free-Framework

The code base of F3 is about 65Kb, so it runs very fast, even though it is very light , F3 still has all the features you expect. You can extend the framework as needed using optional plugins.

F3 is very easy to get started with. It works right out of the box. No need to use Composer, curl or dependency injection to get started. You can create a Hello World application in minutes.

Almost all elements of F3 are modular, so you can use only the parts you need to build your web application. F3 by default does not add code you don’t need, making your application Stay in the most "capable" state.

F3’s documentation is also very clear and easy to understand, with a large number of example demonstrations. The Fat-Free framework offers a choice of template engines: you can use PHP, F3's own template engine, or other template engines such as Smarty or Twig.

F3 developers are generally active on Slack and the Fat-Free Framework Google Group.

Seven: Which PHP framework is best for beginners?

For beginners, it is best to choose frameworks that are simpler and more suitable for Chinese people in the starting stage, such as the ThinkPHP framework.

After beginners master the simple framework, you can enter a field with richer functions, and then come into contact with complex and large-scale Frameworks such as laravel are more convenient and will not dampen the enthusiasm for learning.

So which PHP framework is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below!