100% found this document useful (2 votes)
12K views28 pages

PHP Meetup Feb 09 - PHP CMS Vs Frameworks

This document compares PHP content management systems (CMS) and frameworks. It discusses when each is better to use based on considerations like the complexity of the project, development team makeup, and timeline. CMS works best for straightforward projects that can use existing extensions and themes, while frameworks provide more flexibility for complex projects but require more development effort. The conclusion is to evaluate each project's specific needs and know the tools being used.
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
100% found this document useful (2 votes)
12K views28 pages

PHP Meetup Feb 09 - PHP CMS Vs Frameworks

This document compares PHP content management systems (CMS) and frameworks. It discusses when each is better to use based on considerations like the complexity of the project, development team makeup, and timeline. CMS works best for straightforward projects that can use existing extensions and themes, while frameworks provide more flexibility for complex projects but require more development effort. The conclusion is to evaluate each project's specific needs and know the tools being used.
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

PHP CMS

vs
PHP Frameworks
When to use any of them?

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
CMS vs Frameworks
• Joomla
• Drupal • Zend Framework
• Wordpress • CakePHP
• TikiWiki • Symfony
• Code Ignitor

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Considerations
• Complexity of Project

• Features

• Design

• Scale

• Development methodology

• How much mid-course adjustments can you


afford to make?

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Considerations
• Make-up of Development Team

• Single or Multiple members

• Functional roles

• Familiarity with CMS / Framework

• Timeline

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source CMS

• Basic set of functionalities

• Extensions required to enhance app

• Standard look & feel with fixed positioning of


design elements

• Themes to customise look & feel

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source CMS works best when:

• Project requirements relatively straight forward

• Existing extensions can do the job

• Custom themes can conform to CMS’s basic


structure

• “Square Peg in a Square World”

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
But...
• Things start to fall apart when:

• “I need function Y which is not in Extension Z”

• “Can add category to this listing?”

• “The design is too square-ish.”

• “Can don’t have this thing here?”

• Which means...

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
What they really mean
• Things start to fall apart when:

• You’ll need to mod Extension Z to include


Function Y (or new design element).

• You’ll need to mod the core system to include


the new function.

• You’ll need to mod the design which may be


intertwined with the core system

• “Square Peg in a Circular World”


Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Options Available
• Modify the codes

• Issues with future upgrades

• Submit Bug Fix / Feature Request to extension /


core system developers

• Long wait...

• Create your own extensions

• DIY or Outsource

• Shorter wait & more control, but some


restrictions still apply
Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Time to Mod / Hack
=
$$$$

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source Framework

• Basic set of functionalities

• Full control over how the site is put together


(freeform & far more flexible)

• Standard look & feel (scaffold) or customise


almost anything

• Conforms to your designs and requirements

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source Framework
• Handles all the primary functions (eg.
connecting to database, parsing data,
processing forms)
• Spend more time concentrating on the
business-specific problem, rather than on
the "plumbing" code behind it.
• Limit choices during development, so it
increases productivity, especially in large
and complex systems. Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source Framework

• Patterns

• Model-View-Controller

• Factory

• Object Oriented

• Don’t Repeat Yourself

• Convention over Configuration

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Characteristics
• Open Source Framework works best when:

• Project requirements is complex & need


maximum flexibility

• Flexible design and fully customised front-end

• Team-friendly & minimal documentation

• Focus on User Interface / Experience

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
But...
• The down-side of Frameworks:

• Lower QC over end-product

• Man-hours for updates & upgrades

• Can be inflexible if not planned properly,


resulting in total rewrite

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society
Conclusion
• Evaluate each project’s needs

• Know your tools

• Build your foundation & library of reusable codes

• Plan properly, but change is inevitable

Ph.P
SOCIETY
Philosophy in Programming Society

You might also like