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PHP Framework for Web Application Development

Article in IARJSET · February 2022

DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.9218

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 IARJSET ISSN (O) 2393-8021, ISSN (P) 2394-1588

International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology

Impact Factor 7.105Vol. 9, Issue 2, February 2022
DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.9218

PHP Framework for Web Application

Development
Sangay Tenzin
Lecturer, Department of Information Technology, Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan

Abstract: PHP is one of the widely used language for web development. However, due to the unstructured development
model, the code of data access, process of business logic and web presentations were mixed. It confuses and causes
problems for the web developers. On contrary, PHP framework provide basic structure for building web applications
thereby helping developer in promoting rapid application development (RAD). It helps to save time, reduce repetitive
code and the application can be built with more stability. This is due to the fact that the framework uses the concept called
Model View Controller (MVC) to overcome the issue of plain PHP. The paper presents basic concepts of PHP
frameworks and also the overview of top 5 PHP framework based on the usage stats.

Keywords: PHP, Framework, MVC, RAD, Web Application.

I. INTRODUCTION

Hypertext Pre-processor (PHP) is the world’s most popular scripting language [1, 2, 3] because of its flexibility and ease
of use among others [4, 5, 6]. It combines all the business logic and mark-up in a single file where even a novice developer
can read and understand. However, when it comes to code structure, it really gets rather monotonous and repetitive. The
maintenance and scalability of the application becomes difficult at times because of the unorganized structure [5]. On the
contrary, PHP Framework simplifies the web programming and structure the coding [7] which can be easier for the
developers to grasp the flow of program. It also provides the developers with a basic framework model, as well as a
complete set of APIs, libraries, and extensions which help them to develop web applications much faster and easier [4,
5]. Moreover, frameworks can also help novices to build more stable applications by ensuring proper database
connections [4] and coding on the presentation layer. This allows developer to spend more time creating the actual
application rather than writing repetitive code [7, 8]. The developers need not have to take much time in coding through
the use of frameworks, thereby increasing the productivity [5, 7]. Furthermore, it has large community team as well as
easily accessible documentations in placed to support if one faces any issues related to the framework [8]. PHP
frameworks follows the concepts called Model, View and Controller (MVC) design pattern. MVC typically splits an
application into separate layers [2, 4, 9] thereby enabling developers to maintain clean code throughout the application.
It also eases the confusion for the developers to work on the project. Furthermore, code flexibility and reusability can be
achieved [4, 5].

II. BASIC CONCEPT OF PHP FRAMEWORK

PHP framework are the collection of PHP classes and functions that are being followed by the developers while
developing a website [10]. It enables developers to develop the application faster, efficiently and assist in building
applications thereby reducing the repetitive code during the development [8, 11]. Generally, the working of PHP
framework is referred to as Model View Controller whereby business logic is isolated from the user interface, allowing
one to be modified without affecting others [9]. Given Fig.1 shows the MVC patterns in PHP frameworks:

Fig. 1 MVC

© IARJSET This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License 144
 IARJSET ISSN (O) 2393-8021, ISSN (P) 2394-1588

International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology

Impact Factor 7.105Vol. 9, Issue 2, February 2022
DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.9218
A. Model
“The Model is a class having variables with different data types along with getter and setter properties” [12]. Its main
function is to give proper response to the request of view class and controller class [12, 13]. It contains server-side
business logic [14] which can be used for reading and writing the data to the databases. The data will be allowed to
accessed, which can be either viewed or updated [15]. However, it will have no idea of what happens to the data as it is
passed to the View or Controller components.

B. View
“The main responsibility of the view class is to provide the graphical user interface output for model component that is
specifically designed for client side” [12]. It presents the data requested from the Model and its final output is determined
[14]. The users of the system can interact with the view of the application. If the user of a system performs an action on
View, it will trigger the controller for necessary actions [15].

C. Controllers
The controller is the application layer of the system. It handles the data that is submitted by the users, and the Model is
updated accordingly [14]. The main purpose of the controllers is to collects information from the users and forward it to
the model for further course of actions. Therefore, it can be also called as the collectors of information [12].

III. TYPES OF PHP FRAMEWORK

According to [16], various PHP frameworks are available for the developers to implement in their project. However, one
must understand the features and limitation of particular framework which otherwise will provide not much advantage
over the plain PHP. It is therefore vital for one to know the features and application of specific framework to be
implemented in the right web application development project. Following section list top 5 popular frameworks which
are applicable for web development project.

A. Laravel
Laravel is the open-source PHP frameworks and provide various built-in features and functionalities [17] that help the
developers to customize the complicated project [16, 17]. Some of the mostly used features available are “user
authentication, session management and caching [16].” It can be considered a good choice for small and big project [16]
which has sophisticated backend needs [17].

B. Codeigniter
“Considered as a lightweight framework designed for developers that require a simple and beautiful toolset to build full-
featured web applications [16].” As the framework take less storage space, it ensures quicker page loads and there will
be less impact on web server and applications [16]. Though the performance of framework is high, it is applicable for
small servers [16] which has lightweight applications [17].

C. Symfony
“Symfony is a modular component-based and thus provide a lot of flexibility [16]”. It can be chosen for developing
applications which can be implemented for a large scale [17]. PHP components in the framework can be reused [16, 17]
as and when required. Moreover, it has no combability issues and therefore, can be integrated [16] with the libraries of
other vendors. It also has flexible and robust debugging toolbar [16, 17] to aids developers during the debugging process.

D. Laminas Project
It is also called as a “glue framework [16]” because of its nature being the component-based design. The architecture can
be used with loosely linked components and few interdependencies [16]. As it adheres to the corporate development
principles, it is appropriate for the sophisticated web applications [16].

E. CakePHP
CakePHP is considered to be a simple framework, yet it provides a beautiful toolbox [16] to work on. According to [16],
it can be used to “create aesthetically appealing, and feature-rich websites”. Moreover, it is considered to be the simplest
frameworks to be learn the developers [16, 17]. Furthermore, security features such as “SQL injection prevention, input
validation, cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection, and cross-site scripting (XSS) protection” make it an excellent
option for the business applications [16].

© IARJSET This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License 145
 IARJSET ISSN (O) 2393-8021, ISSN (P) 2394-1588

International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology

Impact Factor 7.105Vol. 9, Issue 2, February 2022
DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.9218
IV. COMPARISON OF PHP FRAMEWORKS

As per the report of [18, 19], Laravel is leading all the frameworks of PHP with the usage stats of 43.7%. Codeigniter is
2nd most framework being used with a percentage of 14.9% followed by symfony with 13.6%, Zend with 12.5% and so
on as shown in Figure: 2 [18, 19]. Fig. 2 shows the comparison of frameworks.

Fig. 2 Framework Comparison

Furthermore, the latest google trends (as of 1st March 2022) as shown in Figure: 3 [19], shows the Laravel as the most
popular among the PHP frameworks.

Fig. 3 Popularity of frameworks based on google trends

V. IMITATION AND FUTURE SCOPE

The researcher has presented the information based on the data collected from different sources. Moreover, the sources
referred by the researcher were mostly theory-based rather than the data of practical implementation. In this regard, the
researcher feels the need to validate the information presented by practically implementing it in near future.

VI. CONCLUSION

PHP seems to have not provided much advantage to web developers in the past over other technologies. However, with
the advent of many PHP frameworks, the web developers were found to be inclined in exploring as well as implementing
any kinds of project with it. PHP frameworks has helped the developers to reduce repetitive coding and maintain the
clean code. This has ultimately led them to speed up the development process as well as minimize the loop holes in the
project. While some experts don’t support the use of frameworks due to some restrictions provided by it, however, most
of the users found it more advantages in a situation where a rapid development is necessary. Moreover, even the novice
users will be able to enhance the learning process through the use of framework. Based on its trending features and
support team, the frameworks were chosen to be used in the specific web development project.

© IARJSET This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License 146
 IARJSET ISSN (O) 2393-8021, ISSN (P) 2394-1588

International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology

Impact Factor 7.105Vol. 9, Issue 2, February 2022
DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.9218
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