Laravel and CodeIgniter are the two best PHP frameworks that are often being compared for their functionality and features. In this blog, we have compared all the basics of both the PHP frameworks to find out which of the two is the best in 2020. Let’s start with a quick overview of these frameworks first.
What Is Laravel?
Laravel is one of the most widely used PHP frameworks. It is open-source which intends to facilitate web application development using MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectural patterns. The source code of Laravel is hosted on GitHub since it was released under the MIT License. Laravel is a very reliable PHP framework since it follows an accurate and expressive set of well-defined development rules.
What Is CodeIgniter?
CodeIgniter is another powerful PHP framework that intends to facilitate developers who want an elegant and simple toolkit for creating a web application with full-fledged, dynamic features. CodeIgniter a great framework for developing dynamic websites and applications powered by PHP. CodeIgniter provides its users with complete freedom as it does not depend upon the MVC development pattern. Moreover, it also supports third-party plugins which are very useful in implementing complex functionalities. CodeIgniter also provides amazing procedures for encryption and security.
Why You Should Use Laravel?
Migration management becomes simplified with Laravel, as it offers a version control system, which is very helpful in the case of migration.
Laravel comes with modular packaging along with a dependency manager based on the composer.
It provides support advanced implementation of ActiveRecord and Eloquent ORM to enable the working of DB.
Laravel also supports DBMS platforms like SQLServer, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.
It also offers and supports features like a blade templating engine.
Laravel is especially well-known for great documentation features and also for supporting artisan command along with sample codes line interface.
With Laravel, you can also implement constraints between DBM objects by simply using the advanced mechanism of query builder mechanism.
The auto-loading feature of Laravel evades any kind of manual inclusion and maintenance paths.
Laravel is a great help in generating new tools by using its LOC container.
Why You Should Use CodeIgniter?
- CodeIgniter provides instant answers to all your queries and the very active CodeIgniter community offers great support for all your concerns related to learning and advancement.
- The framework provides very structured and clear documentation along with enhanced support and stability.
- CodeIgniter allows you to cache your website to reduce loading times and improved performance.
- The routing method is also very simple with CodeIgniter.
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Key Differences Between Laravel & CodeIgniter
- Laravel is relation Object-Oriented framework, whereas CodeIgniter is Object-Oriented.
- Laravel offers authentication class features; however, CodeIgniter does not come with in-built authentication features.
- Laravel has built-in Unit Testing Tools, whereas CodeIgniter does not have one.
- Laravel is known to be Component-Oriented, whereas CodeIgniter is recognized for being Object-Oriented Event-Driven Functional.
- There come many additional features with Laravel development that are relatively difficult to learn for beginners as compare to CodeIgniter which is an easy-to-learn framework for beginners.
Features of Laravel Vs. Features of CodeIgniter
| Laravel | CodeIgniter |
| Third-party libraries are quick and easy to be integrated with Laravel.Laravel comes with modular packaging. It offers a dependency manager fully based on the composer. It has a query builder, which serves as a potential alternative for ORM.Has blade templating engine which is easy to learn and use. Has in-built caching and authentication mechanism. Offers matchless control for the quality session. Provides superior IO aptitudes. | It has a very easy and simple to use MVC framework. CodeIgniter has a very light-weight structure or framework. It offers Data and Form Validation. It provides XSS and Security Filtering. Session management and image manipulation library are easier with CodeIgniter. It also supports File Uploading Class, Data Encryption, and Paging. Also offers Unit Testing Class, Calendar Class, Template Engine Class, and Error Logging. Offer Form and Data Validation and support for Class and Hooks Extensions. Has built-in class support for sending mails. |
Key Differences Between Laravel and CodeIgniter
| Parameters | Laravel | CodeIgniter |
| Current Trends & Popularity | Laravel framework is currently relishing the height of its popularity. It is mainly favored by seasoned developers due to its expressive coding style. | Most of the developers prefer CodeIgniter since it is 2X easier to use as compare to Laravel. |
| DMBS Support | Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, PostgreSQL OrientDB, MYSQL, & JDBC are compatible to Laravel. | Microsoft BO, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB are compatible. However, it also supports many other recognized databases such as Oracle, DB2, and Microsoft SQL, etc. |
| Updates & Structure | MVC filing structure is the foundation of Laravel and it comes along with a defined line of command tool know as Artisan. | CodeIgniter’s structure is loosely based on Object-Oriented Programming and on MVC which facilitates easy on-boarding. However, several developers use it as per their needs. |
| In-Built Modules | The framework is designed with in-built features of modularity which allows developers to further divide the project into smaller modules by using bundling. | There are no modularity features in CodeIgniter, hence developers are obligated to create and maintain modules through the use of Modular Extension. |
| RESTful API Support | The RESTful controller used by Laravel empowers the developers to create REST APIs’ assortments in no extra time. | This framework does not support streamlined REST APIs development. |
| API Building & Template Engine | Laravel comes with a robust and simple template engine Blade, which enables programmers to optimize their web app’s performance by manipulating and enhancing views. | It does not offer any in-built template engine, hence, developers are required to integrate it with some template engine tools such as SMARTY. This enables them to improve their web performance and conduct common tasks. |
| Template Language | Blade Template Engine | PHP Proprietary |
| DataBase Model | Relational Object-Oriented | Object-Oriented |
| Programming Paradigm | Component Oriented | Object-Oriented Even Driven Functional. |
| Authentication | Its Authentication Class Features make rule authorization and authentication implementation easier for developers. | This framework does not come with in-built authentication features. Hence, developers are required to authorize and authenticate users through custom writing of CodeIgniter extensions. |
| HTTP Support | It allows programmers to custom define their desired HTTPS routes while also creating specified URLs for every HTTP route as well. | It does not fully support HTTPS, hence developers can create pats to use URLs to keep data transmission safe and secure. |
| Unit Testing | With Laravel, developers can thoroughly and continuously check their application code by using PHPUnit. | It does not have any built-in unit testing tools, hence developers are required to use supplementary testing tools to assess the code and application quality. |
| Learning Curve | Various additional features of Laravel are difficult to be learned by newbies. | Beginners normally find it easier to use and learn CodeIgniter. |
Final Decision – Which One Is Best? Laravel or CodeIgniter?
To conclude this discussion, it is very hard to say that which one supersedes others because each of these frameworks has its own set of benefits and relevant features. Nonetheless, it is dependent on you that which one do you prefer for your project, keeping the requirements of your project into consideration. Despite the fact, for us, Laravel has a small edge over CodeIgniter because of its advanced and elegant features.
At least, Laravel tops for us among PHP frameworks in 2020, but you never know which of the other PHP framework tops in our list of opinions about Best PHP Frameworks in 2021. Code Creators Inc. is well-reputed in the industry for providing high-quality and affordable PHP development services Also Read – How to Migrate Your Website’s Cloud Service Provider & Port User Data?
