Laravel

Boost the Speed of Your Web Development with This PHP Framework

Frameworks are one of the tools developers depend on to make their jobs more efficient. Not only do frameworks provide general functionality by way of reusable code, but they can also expand the feature set of a programming language. Given how complex websites and mobile apps have become over the past few years, frameworks have become an absolute necessity.

But which framework to choose from? For every programming language, there’s a framework. For most use cases, there’s a framework. So you can imagine how wide the spectrum is when it comes to choices.

If your goal is to create a modern, useful web application, and your language of choice is PHP, then there’s one choice that might stand out above the rest for you. That choice is Laravel.

Laravel calls itself the PHP framework for web artisans. In fact, the command-line interface for Laravel is called artisan, so the developers take this idea very seriously. But what does it mean? Let’s break it all down and find out why Laravel might be the perfect framework for your project.

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What is a Framework?

Before we dive into Laravel, let’s remind ourselves just what a framework is. Essentially, a framework is a platform to aid in the development of software applications. Frameworks provide things like predefined classes, libraries, and functions that make it possible to add features and functionality to your project without having to write everything from scratch.

So, if you’re looking to streamline the development process, a framework is a must.

With that in mind, what makes Laravel special?

What is Laravel?

Laravel is a specialized PHP framework that is used to write web applications. By using Laravel, you’ll be able to deliver an application that scales well and bring it to market faster. And because Laravel includes namespaces and interfaces, the management and organization of resources is much easier.

Laravel includes several features that come together to make it a unique framework. These features include:

Composer

This is the tool that includes all of the necessary dependencies and libraries you’ll use for application development with Laravel. Composer also makes it possible to install third-party libraries. And because all dependencies are written into a JSON file, you shouldn’t have any problem getting up to speed.
Artisan

The command-line interface used with Laravel that includes all the commands you need to build your web applications.
Built-in Libraries

Laravel includes 20 built-in libraries and modules. Each of these libraries and modules are integrated with Composer for easier updates.
Testing tools

Laravel includes plenty of testing tools to help you test against various use cases.
Routing

Laravel takes a flexible approach to route definition for your web application, which helps with the process of scaling while improving performance.
Configuration Management

Laravel offers a consistent approach to configuration management, even when your web application will be deployed to different platforms.
Schema Builder and Query Builder

Laravel includes both a Query builder to help in the querying of databases as well as a schema builder to help maintain database definitions and schema in PHP code.
Template Engine

Laravel includes the Blade Template engine, which is a lightweight template language for designing hierarchical blocks and layouts.

Benefits of Laravel

The benefits of using Laravel are many. Some of them include:

Easy to Use

Laravel is the most popular PHP framework on the market, which means it’s used by PHP developers worldwide. Because of this, Laravel includes a large number of built-in templates to make it a very efficient framework. Any PHP/Laravel developer (with enough skills) can deploy to market a brand new web application in days.
Advanced Security

Every developer and business should be concerned about security, and Laravel makes it easy to configure advanced security options that can help protect websites and web applications from hackers. Laravel makes use of the Bcrypt hashing algorithm so it never saves any plain text passwords to a database. Other security-focused features include pres-installed authorization libraries, password reset, and encryption.
Higher Performance

Another feature found in Laravel is caching, which means it will offer higher out-of-the-box performance than many other PHP frameworks. Laravel also employs other performance enhancements, such as memory use reduction and database indexing.
Scalability

Laravel uses a unique message queue system, which allows you to off-load certain tasks for specific times. This means you can schedule such tasks as the sending of queued emails when demand for the site isn’t at its peak. Although this might not sound important, it becomes crucial when your site is handling thousands (or tens of thousands) of such tasks, as Laravel allows you to schedule them so your site can process data faster when demand rises.
Flexibility

Laravel can help you build just about anything you need, from a Single Page Application all the way up to a complex eCommerce site that handles numerous transactions per minute.
Third-Party Integration

Laravel can integrate third-party services (such as Paypal) into your site. And because it offers a very clean API, the integration of those third-party services is very simple.
Easy Maintenance

Thanks to its ability to create clean, structured code, and because of its adherence to the Model-View-Controller design pattern a site built with Laravel is one that’s easy to maintain. That means any developer who is tasked with working on your sites (even after they are built), should have no problem jumping in.

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Laravel improves on many fundamental aspects of PHP, such as dependency management, authentication, and the use of CLI (command line interface). Furthermore, a Laravel-built website is safe and resistant to various cyber threats as it uses AES encryption and router protection.

Testing through Laravel is easy. It automatically creates the configuration environment and the .env testing file. You can easily create tests using the make:test command and perform unit testing through PHPUnit.

Database handling and mapping are very convenient through Laravel’s Eloquent ORM. It uses models to interact with the database, which helps in faster query processing. In addition, models allow you to retain a simple interface with your app database objects through which you can retrieve, insert, update and delete your records.

How relevant is Laravel in today's market?

Laravel is a robust database that was created in June 2011 as an alternative to CodeIgniter. With its smart ecosystem, abundant built-in functions, and compatibility, this framework has become very popular in the market. Research has found that almost 600,000 websites worldwide use Laravel, and its popularity is rapidly increasing.

One of the main reasons Laravel is so popular is its developer-first design and convenient, easy-to-use features. It’s free to use and has a blade template engine that displays frontend features without compromising speed and performance. As a result, many well-known companies such as Pfizer, BBC, and Crowdcude use Laravel.

Laravel offers modularity, i.e., it allows different modules to run separately, which can later be compiled into a single directory. Furthermore, its MVC architecture keeps the business and presentation logic separate, which improves maintainability for developers and the frontend experience for users.

The framework is object-oriented, and packages are ready to use through the composer. Your team can easily control versions through its migration feature without data loss.

Issues company face while hiring a Laravel Developer

A skilled Laravel developer is an asset to your organization since they understand the framework and know how to tackle complex business problems. In addition, a skilled Laravel developer can create high-quality websites along with customizations and API integrations.

The problem is that skilled Laravel developers are hard to find. The basics of Laravel are easy to learn but difficult to implement at an organizational level. A Laravel developer should be able to clearly understand the business and project requirements.

You also need to take into account the speed of development. If the developer is good but can’t complete the task on time, it costs the company a huge amount of money. Furthermore, a good developer should be able to handle changes in a project without drastically impacting the timeline. Adapting to changes becomes difficult if the developer is not experienced enough.

How to choose the perfect Laravel Developer

A Laravel developer should know how to efficiently code and test a website/application. In addition, they should also be able to handle complex real-world problems and maintain code quality to ensure that the final product is error-free.

Strategizing is important for Laravel developers. They should be able to create a roadmap for the project. Knowledge of project management techniques such as Agile and Scrum is also important.

They should have a strong command of PHP, HTML, and CSS. Experience in handling RESTful APIs, along with knowledge of OOPS, is also important.

Conclusion

Laravel is a robust PHP framework with expressive syntax and an easy command-line interface. It eases development and reduces development costs by automating things like authentication, routing, sessions, and caching.

While choosing a Laravel developer, you need to look for skills that fit your specific business requirements. In addition, you should prioritize experience, and the developer should know REST APIs and MVC.

Describe Laravel's query builder.

Laravel’s query builder offers an easy interface for running queries and performing database-related functions. The Table method can create constraints and use them for generating data through a query builder.

To ensure data security, the query builder uses PHP data object parameter binding. Hence strings supplied to the query builder as query bindings don’t need to be checked by the database for malicious code.

Differentiate between delete() and softDelete().

Delete(): this function removes all records permanently from the database.

softDelete(): This function doesn’t permanently remove the data from the table. It just flags the record as deleted, and a deleted_at attribute is inserted into the table. If you view the table, you won’t be able to see the record. However, you can restore that record if you require.

What is a faker?

Faker creates dummy data for your Laravel application/website. If a developer wants a large amount of data for persistence testing, bootstrapping their database, or generating statistics, Faker can provide that based on datatype input.

What is the use of the dd() function?

dd means "Dump and Die." The dd() method is used to dump the contents of a variable to the browser. The use of this function stops script execution. A similar function can be Var_dump and die().

Explain homestead in Laravel

Homestead is a virtual machine that allows Laravel developers to develop Laravel applications/websites without installing a PHP or PHP server. It also includes Ubuntu Composer, PostgreSQL, and lots of other software. It can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

We are looking for a talented Laravel developer to join our team to build full-stack applications. We are looking for smart, motivated individuals who can code and test backend PHP applications while working with UI designers for frontend development. It’s an excellent opportunity for professionals who want to learn and grow their skills in a challenging environment.

Responsibilities

Design, scale, and maintain server-side PHP logic with Laravel.
Create in-house and client applications in collaboration with the UI/UX team.
Regularly maintain and test software modules. Perform HTML, CSS and JaVascript validations.
Design and implement APIs using backend services.
Strategize and implement design for different applications
Coordinate with the UI team, product managers to understand business requirements and create solutions.
Follow best industry practices and standards.
{{Add other relevant responsibilities}}

Skills and Qualifications

Knowledge of Laravel and its environment. Should also know PHP.
Experience in schema design.
Basic understanding of OOP design principles for scalable applications
Proven experience with REST APIs and SOLID principles.
Experience with database and SQL queries.
Experience with software testing frameworks (PHPUnit)
Knowledge of MVC principles and code arrangement
Problem-solving skills and team spirit
{{Add other frameworks or libraries related to your development stack}}
{{List education level or certification required}}

Conclusion

If you’re looking to up your website application game, Laravel should be on the top of your list of technologies to consider. This PHP framework will help make your developers more efficient, your websites more performant, and your stakeholders much happier.