Programming and developing apps is not about complex syntax and complicated code anymore. There are frameworks to help us build an app using simplified functions and commands.
Laravel used by thousands of developers and follows new trends, making the framework intuitive and easy to understand. In general, we can say that all developers need some tools to simplify the job and make everything easier, even though they work on complicated projects.
Many of them are well-trained to use Laravel, so any company that needs to hire top-level developer can easily find the right candidate.
But first, let’s see how this framework is used and why it’s so popular nowadays.
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What is Laravel, and what is it used for?
Laravel is a web-based PHP framework to help developers build applications. It’s one of the simplest frameworks since it includes many great features. It can be used for large and small projects, and developers can hold onto it because it’s reliable and scalable.
Laravel syntax is “sugary,” which means it’s easy to read and use later. The framework also offers a modular packaging system and different ways to access databases.
The creator Taylor Otwell released the first version in June 2011, and right now, we are using the ninth Laravel version released earlier this year. Versions 10 and 11 are announced to be released in 2023 and 2024.
Eleven years later, this is one of the most anticipated PHP frameworks, and there is always an open job position to hire Laravel developer somewhere in the world. So, if you are considering a career in PHP development, we suggest you learn how to use some of the frameworks, so you can ease the whole process for you.
Understanding the basics
Laravel is mostly a backend development framework, but some frontend-oriented features exist too.
It’s not a programming language, even though it’s based on PHP. We can say that Laravel uses scripting language, which is unique to the specific platform.
Many websites today are based on PHP, including WordPress ones. That’s one of the reasons why the need for Lavarel developers is huge nowadays, and there is always some open job position for them.
Even beginners with basic knowledge of PHP can easily use the framework and develop excellent coding practices.
What are the essential Laravel features?
When we talk about Laravel, we talk about a powerful and accessible application. It’s hosted on GitHub and is still popular among users because of the bundles (packaging systems) and built-in functionalities.
All these things help the developers to understand the framework and use it properly, depending on their level of expertise.
When it comes to features, these are the most important among them all:
1. Built-in templates
The template engine provides useful Laravel templates that can be used for both simple and complex projects. Also, you can find widgets with CSS and JS code to help you with your work.
2. Included libraries
You can find useful object-oriented and modular libraries. This feature is not available in the other PHP framework, which is an additional reason to consider using Laravel for your app development projects.
3. Intuitive functionalities
Using this framework, you can, for example, easily create Laravel API authentication tokens, using the proper commands. All the functionalities are easy to understand and use, even for beginner-level developers.
4. High level of security
Most of the apps developed using the Laravel framework are entirely secure. It implements different security protocols, and no password will ever be saved in the databases.
5. MVC architecture pattern
MVC means model-view-controller architectural pattern. That means internal information is completely separated from the information presented to the users. It’s a really popular approach in web app development.
6. Simple and direct commands
Since Laravel is a framework, developers can use PHP syntax to write queries, which is faster and more efficient when there are deadlines. For example, you can easily add Laravel custom pagination by using a simple function to customize the links and edit them as needed.
Why choose Laravel for web app development?
As you can see, the framework has great features, and you can use it to build APIs or web services using the existing components and easy syntax. That means your work is more reliable but still easy to navigate.
Laravel allows the developer to use different components from different apps. When combined together, these pieces may create a completely new and functional project. This is known as modularity, and it’s one of the strongest features of the framework. This way, bugs are avoided because there is no need to write the same lines over and over again.
When the project is completed, Laravel allows the developer to perform quick debugging and testing, using the integrated features for that. This way, all the bugs and errors can be fixed immediately.
Knowing these things, it’s quite understandable why the developers prefer using Laravel more than any other PHP-based framework.
Is it possible to learn Laravel without PHP knowledge?
Laravel is based on PHP, so you probably need to learn PHP before you move to this framework. You can still figure out how to use Laravel without learning PHP, but you won’t be able to use the common logic, controls, or use functionalities that are not included in the framework.
So, if you want to master Laravel, you must have at least basic knowledge of PHP. Some developers decide to learn them together, so they can match the differences and similarities and understand the connection.
Luckily, there are many resources you can use to learn how to use this framework.
Knowing this, you can learn Laravel from official books and documentation, starting from the history and understanding every important detail. Additionally, there are tutorials and videos. Beginners should first use tutorials and then move to the official documentation.
You can also find many courses online, so you can learn the basics and practice coding at the same time.
Another interesting way is to learn from open-source projects to understand how the developers used the code. You will get familiar with the common practices and understand how to create basic websites, tools, and apps.
Of course, you can always use some podcasts if you are not into reading and experimenting alone. It all depends on your preferences and favorite learning style.
Anyway, we suggest getting familiar with PHP first, so you can easily learn how the frameworks work, including Laravel too.
The future of Laravel developer career
In 2022, Laravel can be the best PHP framework to use for project development. Still, it doesn’t mean it is the best among them all because every programming language and framework has a different purpose and unique features. But, we can’t deny the fact that there are thousands of live websites using Laravel.
It can be a great career option for the developers because the market is still not overwhelmed by them, and the salaries are pretty competitive. Also, many companies are looking to hire great Laravel developers for their projects or offer full-time job positions.
This framework can be used for web and mobile app development, which means there will always be a job for those who know how to use it. Laravel is known to promote innovative approaches in app building, helping the developers to get really creative, which is exactly what today’s labor market needs.
