Best framework for learning frameworks in general?

PHP
1

I have no experience with frameworks but want to start learning one. I actually have two questions:

  1. what is the best framework for learning frameworks and see what they can do?
  2. what framework is easiest to learn for a beginner?

I am hoping your answer to 1 and 2 are the same, but if not, please explain.

2

Most people say that Code Igniter (CI) is the easiest to learn; personally I like Symphony 2 and trust it even for large projects. If you mean learn ‘how a framework is coded’ then definitely Symphony 2 as the code is quite good compared to the other larger frameworks including zend. The documentation for Symphony 2 is great, I have not spent a lot of time going through to docs for CI but I have thoroughly reviewed its’ code base. However if people learn it quickly then the documentation or the inherent ‘ease of use of it’ must be pretty good.

Do a search here on SP, as this question has be asked a lot lately and many experienced people have given their points of view. You may not get as many people participating in this thread, as they believe one should search their good descriptions in other posts before having to write it again… Just a thought. :slight_smile:

Steve

3

Another :tup: for Symfony2.

4

Q1a) what is the best framework for learning frameworks…
A1a) the best framework for you may not appeal to others.

Q1b) …and see what they can do?
A1b) some frameworks have a “built using <framework> section” that may help in your decision.

Q2) what framework is easiest to learn for a beginner?
A2) beginners vary tremendously, depends on your background and level of expertise.

Once a framework is chosen then problems will arise. Browse each framework forum and see if you can understand the threads.

5

Thanks for the thoughts.
I’ve seen threads on “The Best” framework, but I was hoping a bit more for answers along the lines of best for beginners. So I don’t care if it is the best, or even if I will even use it much down the road, only that it eases my introduction. I did a quick search but only found one thread that unfortunately devolved into a generic best framework thread. Most seemed to recommended CodeIgniter, but as it is quite a commitment to get into a framework for me, I wanted to hear more views, especially since the thread was mainly recommendations without explanations.

6

I see ShinVe,

Well depending on how you learn, and if you like reading documentation rather than ‘trial by error’ then Symphony2 is really good. I can only compare it to ZEND which in comparison is disjointed and not easy to progress, different styles of writing/editing; Symphon2 sounds like the same voice all the way through and the tutorials and training are related to things you might actually do, rather than bunnies or houses or this is how you build a colour factory, so you will find 'How to build a controller" .

The community of Symphon2 is great. Ask a question, you don’t get belittled and you generally get quality responses. Again others will have to speak about Zend or CI as I have not been active in these communities.

You are right the investment in learning a framework is easy to underestimate so it is worth while doing this research.

Good luck.

Steve

7

A beginning in PHP, or a beginner in frameworks?

If you are in the former group, I would recommend not starting w/ a framework. A framework generally abstracts much of what’s going on, thus you might learn too slow, or worse - learn incorrectly why things are the way they are. You should start off in pure PHP and learn from the start.

Of course, that is assuming you have the time to learn properly. If you need to hit the ground running, then a framework might be okay, but better would be a CMS platform like wordpress/joomla/drupal, which further abstract everything to the point that you only touch PHP lightly.

8

For the best learning framework, perhaps check out Fabien Potencier’s 12-part article Create your own framework… on top of the Symfony2 Components, where he takes you step by step through creating your own framework.

9

Thanks Jeff for sharing that series of articles. Very good read most definitely.

10

Yes Jeff thanks these were indeed great articles!

Steve

11

Thanks for the comments so far.

I checked out the symfony documentation/book and it looks worth reading for examples alone. Symfony’s forum is less active than codeigniter’s though but I like the documentation more. I am still reading through other sites and trying to get a feel for community and documentation, although it’s a little difficult since I don’t know what I am looking for exactly, but I am making some progress.