What is Laravel?
When considering professional web applications for businesses, two platforms come to mind – Java and .NET. Both platforms have been utilized in the software industry for decades and have earned a solid position in the development of numerous large organizations.
In addition to Java and .NET, PHP is also playing an increasingly significant role. PHP has long been regarded as a suitable development platform for smaller web pages and applications. However, rapid developments in the software field have elevated PHP to an equal contender for even the most demanding projects.
Laravel is a web application framework based on the open-source PHP programming language, empowering developers to create modern applications. It is a server-side (back-end) framework that incorporates essential tools to simplify the writing of complex code. The first version of Laravel was released in 2011. [1]
Apart from Laravel, there are several other PHP-based frameworks like Symfony, CakePHP, and CodeIgniter. However, among the PHP frameworks, Laravel stands out as the most popular choice.
When to choose Laravel?
Laravel is an excellent choice for medium and large enterprises. It's a suitable framework when there is a need to develop custom solutions, such as booking systems, customer management software, or online stores with complex logic. For these specific business requirements, Laravel often outperforms ready-made content management systems like WordPress, Prestashop, or Magento.
We’ll highlight some great features of Laravel.
A large community and good accessibility make Laravel an attractive choice
Laravel boasts one of the largest communities in the software development world. Consequently, there is an abundance of tutorials and forums available where developers can seek help or share their knowledge. This strong community support facilitates the learning process for newcomers and enables developers to resolve issues with ease as they arise. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest changes and additions to Laravel is remarkably straightforward.
One of the most significant factors contributing to Laravel's success is its open-source nature. As a result, many young individuals interested in web development opt to begin their journey with PHP and Laravel. This, in turn, leads to a greater number of PHP developers in the job market. This trend is particularly evident in places like Estonia and the surrounding region, where there is a preference for free software at various levels due to state budgets and national principles.
Laravel is elegant, powerful and simple
Laravel is renowned for its elegance and simplicity. The framework offers a well-thought-out and logical system that enables developers to rapidly build complex applications. Laravel's syntax is clear and readable, making it accessible even to novice developers. Despite its ease of learning, Laravel provides numerous useful and powerful functionalities, which we will describe below.
Routing
Laravel's flexible routing system enables you to specify actions corresponding to URLs. This functionality helps developers easily determine the appropriate controller and method to invoke for a particular URL.
Database handling
Laravel provides a powerful ORM called Eloquent for database manipulation and query building. The Eloquent ORM allows developers to search for and work with data in a database without the need to write SQL code, using PHP-specific syntax instead.
User authentication
Laravel offers a built-in authentication system that facilitates user registration, login, and authorization. This allows developers to quickly implement secure user authentication functions.
Form validation
Laravel provides a simple and efficient way to validate forms. Developers can define rules and conditions that the submitted data must follow, ensuring data integrity and security.
Caching
Laravel incorporates a powerful caching system that allows buffering of results and data, thus improving application performance and speed. Utilizing caching can significantly reduce the number of database queries and enhance the user experience.
Laravel stands out for its reliability and security.
Security holds paramount importance in today's software development landscape. Laravel offers several features that help protect applications from various types of attacks. Among other measures, Laravel utilizes data encryption, CSRF protection, and out-of-the-box solutions for user authentication, ensuring a secure environment for developers.
Scalability and performance make Laravel an excellent choice for demanding applications.
Laravel's architecture is designed to be scalable, facilitating large-scale application development. The framework provides a variety of tools, including database load optimization, cache systems, and performance optimization, all of which contribute to the speed and performance of applications even under heavy traffic.
Compatibility with popular front-end frameworks.
Developers can conveniently create the front-end of Laravel-based applications using popular front-end frameworks. Examples of these frameworks include React.js, Vue.js, Angular, and Nuxt.js, all of which deliver excellent loading speeds.
Examples of popular applications using Laravel.
In Estonia, for instance, Eliis software has been developed using Laravel and is used by 15,000 teachers and 700 educational institutions. [2]
On a global scale, noteworthy applications include the World Walking app, MyRank education platform, Alison e-learning platform, Invoice Ninja platform for invoice management, and content management system October CMS. [3]
Future perspectives of Laravel
Due to its immense popularity, Laravel is constantly evolving and undergoing changes. Let's outline some future directions for Laravel.
Increased adoption of Laravel-based content management systems
A significant trend in the future of Laravel development is the increased adoption of content management system (CMS) platforms based on Laravel. Platforms like October CMS, Pyro CMS, and AvoRed have already gained popularity, and we can expect the emergence of more such platforms in the coming years. These platforms provide an easy-to-use interface that allows users to manage content and other site elements without requiring extensive coding knowledge. [4]
Greater integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Laravel development
AI and machine learning are increasingly being employed in various areas of software development, and Laravel is no exception. In the future, we can anticipate greater integration of AI and machine learning in Laravel development, particularly in areas such as data analysis, forecasting, and automation. [4]
Enhanced performance and security
We can expect more emphasis on security and efficiency in Laravel development, as both are crucial aspects of any web application. Laravel has long been known for its built-in defenses against cross-site scripting and SQL injection threats. As developers strive to create even more secure applications, significant progress in this area can be anticipated. [4]
Performance optimization is another area that will witness rapid development. The Laravel community is continuously working to optimize the framework, aiming to reduce page load time and enhance application performance. [4]
In summary – Laravel is a great choice for development
Laravel is a prominent back-end framework for software and web development in today's digital world. Its elegance, simplicity, functionality, security, extensibility, and large community make Laravel an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced developers. If you're seeking an efficient, fast, and secure way to build your software or web application, Laravel is undoubtedly a platform worth considering.
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