Laravel vs. CodeIgniter: Which is the Better Web Development Framework?

PHP is a trendy programming language choice for backend developers for customized solutions. Similarly, Using PHP Framework is crucial to speed up the web development process and produce a high-quality product in a short period. To date, it might be challenging to decide with PHP Frameworks works best, with all the abundant kinds of frameworks present on the web.

This article will discuss the two well-known PHP frameworks: the Laravel and the CodeIgniter. In addition, we will discuss the detail the comparison between CodeIgniter vs Laravel in terms of Framework, superiority, advantages, disadvantages, and more.

What is Laravel?

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework that uses MVC Architectural pattern and is intended for a full-featured web application development. It was released under the MIT License. In addition, the framework’s source code is hosted on GitHub. Similarly, it is also built with GitScrum, an Agile Development Tool perfect for web application programming.

The Laravel PHP framework follows expressive and accurate language rules for web development tasks, such as routing, authentication, caching, and sessions.

Features of Laravel Framework

Laravel has the ideal framework features that make it a robust PHP Framework.  These extraordinary features make it stand out from the rest of the other popular web frameworks available. Likewise, here are some of Laravel’s top features:

 

• Offers a version control system that simplifies migration management
• Supports database management system platforms like MySQL, SQLServer, and more
• Includes Modular packaging
• Offers magnificent features like a blade templating engine
• Supports Eloquent ORM
• Comes with an Integrated caching mechanism
• Includes an auto-loading feature

Advantages of Using Laravel

1. New features of PHP can be used

The best advantage of Laravel Framework is that it utilizes all-new features of PHP, something most PHP frameworks cannot do. Using Laravel 5, developers can integrate as many new PHP features as released, such as interface overloading, namespaces, anonymous functions, shorter array syntax, and more.

2. Great documentation

This Framework has a great documentation trait. Laravel develops and learns friendly due to its copious available documentation and resources that you can use. In addition, there are detailed explanation of classes, coding style, and methods.

3. Integration with mail services

Laravel Framework is equipped with Application Programming Interface (API). It also provides the drivers for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Mailgun, SparkPost, Mandrill, Amazon SES, PHP’s “Mail” Function, and other features that can help you send out emails through the local or cloud-based services. With these features, developers can get in touch with users to inform them about new deals and offers.

4. Artisan

It is complicated to do repetitive programming tasks, which are heavily time-consuming. Laravel expedites Artisan command along with sample codes line interface. This tool can help create skeleton code and run the database system strongly.

5. NPM and Bower Packages Availability

Developers can benefit from the NPM and bower packages by linking Laravel with Gulp and Elixir. Linking these are beneficial in resources and asset revision. Moreover, it will sort out dependencies and is the most stable resource package in PHP.

6. Reverse Routing

Reverse routing is one of the most magnificent features of Laravel. You can create links to named routes. It’s easier for developers to create the link by simply using the route’s name and Framework. It will automatically insert the correct URL.

7. ActiveRecord Implementation

Active implementation is another valuable feature of the Framework that helps run the database smoothly and effortlessly. It makes sure that the model you build in the Model, View & Controller (MVC) will have a parallel table in the database.

Disadvantages of Laravel Framework

1. The Composer is not strong enough

Since Laravel is new, the Composer of the Framework is not strong enough compared to other frameworks such as NPM, Ruby Gems, and Pip. Moreover, it’s difficult for developers to work with Laravel.  

2. No Transition and Continuation between Laravel 4 to 5

Laravel 4 to 5 doesn’t have any transition and could break an application when code is updated. As such, developers need to be careful when upgrading their program

What is CodeIgniter?

CodeIgniter is a robust PHP framework that is perfect for developers who likes straightforward but elegant toolkit when creating a full-featured web application. It is none of the best choices for creating dynamic websites with PHP.

CodeIgniter provides complete control to users. Thus, developers are not required to depend on the MVC Development pattern. It also allows third-party plugins to implement complicated functionalities. In addition, the framework offers excellent encryption procedures and outstanding security.

Features of CodeIgniter Framework

CodeIgniter Framework has an optimum framework feature. It provides excellent libraries for linking different databases and performing other operational tasks like uploading data, sending emails, running sessions, and more. Similarly, the following are CodeIgniter’s main features:

• Features Model-View-Controller Based System
• Highlights accurate and strict documentation
• Comes with excellent community support that offers fast and reliable answers
• Offers enhanced stability & support
• Provides a straightforward routing method
• Allows cached website for enhanced performance and faster loading times

Advantages of Using CodeIgniter

1. It has a smaller footprint

CodeIgniter is a lightweight PHP Framework, close to 2MB. The small footprint eliminates performance lags, and developers are not required to optimize the website’s performance. Likewise, it simplifies deployment and management.

2. Easy to set up and short learning curve.

CodeIgniter is easy to install and learn. Both beginners and experienced PHP programmers can use CodeIgniter. Furthermore. the available documentation and community support help PHP programmers understand CodeIgniter better and more accessible.

3. Offers Modern Separation Concept

Unlike other Frameworks, CodeIgniter gives programmers freedom and complete control. It does not force PHP programmers to implement the MVC pattern. Instead, the CodeIgniter encourages them to implement MVC uniquely. In addition, the modern separation concept in CodeIgniter helps programmers use a different database, data, controls, and views for HTML.

4. Database Catching Speeds Loading Time

This programming language helps programmers speed up the web application by implementing web page and database caching. Developers can also enable caching on a per-page basis with a set duration for the cache. Lastly, a programmer can reduce the load in the database by simplifying caching database queries as simple text.

5. Comes with Built-in Security Features

CodeIgniter features built-in security that can help programmers protect the web application easily from common security threats like scripting attacks, remote code execution, etc. They also have the option to improve security by installing additional plugins.

Disadvantages of Using CodeIgniter

1. It does not emphasize code maintainability

Unlike other modern PHP Frameworks, CodeIgniter does not have modular code documentation. Hence, the programmer needs to put extra time and work into sustaining or updating the code.

2. Lacks Exhaustive Libraries

CodeIgniter also provides several libraries required by web applications. Programmers can also extend and customize these libraries by simply opening the native classes. However, these libraries provided by CodeIgniter are not as extensive as the libraries with modern PHP frameworks.

 

CodeIgniter vs Laravel: What is The Difference?

1. Cost

When it comes to cost for Laravel vs CodeIgniter, both are open-source PHP frameworks and are free to use.

2. Security

Laravel offers a tremendous and reliable web application with high security for safety. It comes with authentication class features, unlike CodeIgniter. However, CodeIgniter provides application customization that can help in strengthening its security. Having complete control of the Framework makes it easier for programmers to build security protocols for customer needs.

3. Performance

Comparing CodeIgniter vs Laravel in performance, Laravel is said to be slower compared to CodeIgniter. But it can be improved better when appropriately optimized, allowing applications to perform faster. Apart from that, using Cache tags also enables Laravel-based applications to load the pre-stored information quickly.

On the other hand, CodeIgniter runs through a functional test to determine the performance and speed. Application response time runs depending on the number of users. It indicates how robust and scalable CodeIgniter is.

4. Scalability

Laravel inherits its scalability from PHP. Laravel-based popular applications scale their application without any limitation for years. It is horizontal scaling with a good database and load balance. Similarly, Laravel-based programs can be scaled as required using AWS, MySQL, and other caching methods.

CodeIgniter is highly scalable due to its lightweight feature. It does not need actual convention as it loads depending on what is requested. Moreover, you can even scale it further with caching modification.

5. Marketing

According to Builtwith, 678,633 live websites are using Laravel. Likewise, it has 63.5 thousand GitHub Stars with 20.3 thousand live projects and 544 dedicated contributors improving the Framework. On the other hand, CodeIgniter has a 0.36% market share in web frameworks today. In addition, 1,410,088 websites were built using CodeIgniter in different work parts. It also has 17.7 thousand stars on GitHub.

Which is a perfect choice?

You need to be careful when choosing between Codeigniter vs Laravel, you nen developing a Web Application can be time-consuming. To sum it up, only choose Laravel if you;

• Aim to create an SEO-friendly
• Are loking ways to create a secured web application
• Want to create a cutting-edge application using the Blade Template Engine of Laravel
• Are planning to make highly customizable app
• Need a well-documented framework available online with a supportive community
• Are planning to develop an interactive website that needs highly customizable layouts
• Are developing an application needs a quicker and faster object-oriented library

On the other hand, it’s best to pick the CodeIgniter Framework if you: 

• Want to build a web application with sophisticated features but with complete control
• Need application needs enhanced security
• Need a fast and lightweight application
• Want to develop a Web Application quicker, without time and effort

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