Many people wonder which framework reigns supreme – CakePHP or Laravel. To compare the two, it is crucial to discern their disparities. Essentially, CakePHP is a speedy PHP framework that provides a flexible architecture for developing, sustaining and deploying applications, while Laravel is an elegant web application framework that employs modern web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. What’s more, Laravel can also be viewed as a language itself as it is an open-source software framework designed for building web applications. All things considered, the choice between CakePHP and Laravel hinges on the project’s specific requirements and goals.
Should any of these queries cross your mind, you need not look any further – this piece has all the answers.
Based on usage data, Laravel is the preferred option for web development, with an astounding 650,000 websites developed using this framework. Some prominent websites that are powered by Laravel include Barchart, Alphacoders, Alison, Watchseries, and Laracast. However, CakePHP still retains its popularity, with around 120,000 websites created utilizing this framework. Examples of notable websites built with CakePHP include Mapme, Educationunlimited, Eliteperformanceandfitness, Mygasfeed, and Followmytv.
It’s apparent that both Laravel and CakePHP are workable alternatives for developers, but ultimately, their choice depends on their particular requirements and inclinations. It’s therefore advantageous for developers to acquire a complete comprehension of the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of both frameworks. Through scrutinizing the likenesses and discrepancies between Laravel and CakePHP, developers can aptly decide which framework is most appropriate for their project.
Let us contrast Laravel with CakePHP to identify their differences.
It would be beneficial to provide a definition of Laravel.
Laravel is an open-source framework that can be obtained for free online and crafted using the PHP programming language. The framework is equipped with a plethora of potent features, which include command-line interfaces showcasing a high degree of expressiveness, rapid web development tools, and a vast assortment of reusable components. These attributes empower developers to promptly develop complex websites and applications.
Laravel provides developers with the potential to develop powerful applications with minimal code. The codebase of these applications is straightforward and can be easily scaled, allowing for simple updates. Additionally, Laravel developers use object-relational mapping when connecting to databases and carrying out operations.
The term “CakePHP” is unfamiliar to me.
CakePHP is a well-liked open-source PHP framework that assists developers in rapidly creating and managing websites with ease. It offers numerous standard features, including secure request handling, validation, unit testing, and business logic support. These attributes enable developers to produce secure, flexible, and robust dynamic web applications.
CakePHP offers developers a wide range of options for building quick and effective web applications. Moreover, CakePHP is adaptable to various databases, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Lite, and similar databases.
Let us review both options side by side.
Usage
While both Laravel and CakePHP are open-source development platforms, Laravel can be used without any charge. In contrast, a valid license is required for using CakePHP.
Because Laravel is free to use, it is generally more attractive to developers than CakePHP.Architecture
The Laravel web application framework is structured using the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern. This pattern consists of three key components: the model, the view, and the controller, all working together to form the application’s architecture. The model is responsible for managing the application’s data, the view displays the data to the user, and the controller acts as an intermediary between the two, facilitating user input and data queries. Additionally, Laravel also features two-way data binding, which makes it easy for programmers to synchronise any changes to data across multiple component classes.
CakePHP, on the other hand, is designed using the Hierarchical Model-View-Controller (HMVC) design pattern. This design pattern allows the application to rely less on external resources, utilize code more efficiently, and extend application functionality with ease. The HMVC design is built on self-contained model-view-controller triads, which interact with each other to keep the application up to date and fully functional. This design pattern makes the application more scalable, maintainable, and flexible.
While the model-view-controller (MVC) architecture of Laravel is particularly suitable for large-scale applications, the Hierarchical Model-View-Controller (HMVC) design of CakePHP is more beneficial for smaller, personal websites.Templates
Blade is a crucial component of the Laravel framework, which empowers developers to create custom page layouts using standard PHP code. The Blade templating engine operates by assembling views and storing them in the cache, located in the resources/view directory. This streamlines the process of establishing uniform layouts and formats for projects, facilitating a more proficient development process.
CakePHP features an additional syntax in its templates, which are composed in standard PHP and have the .ctp suffix. This syntax controls the output and file structure, shaping raw data from the controller into an organised format that is easy to use and read.
Unlike the CakePHP templates, Laravel’s Blade does not modify the MVC architecture.Relating Objects to One Another
Both CakePHP and Laravel use the powerful tool of Eloquent Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) to create queries and retrieve data from databases. With Eloquent ORM, developers can easily manage and manipulate databases with high efficiency, allowing them to devote more time to application creation and less time dealing with tedious database management tasks.
In contrast, Laravel provides two ORMs: Query Builder and Eloquent ORM. However, any ORM can lead to bad profits.
CakePHP, in contrast to other frameworks, does not encounter issues during object-relational mapping, ensuring dependable outcomes.Security
CakePHP provides a comprehensive suite of security features such as encryption, decryption, and hashing. These capabilities safeguard against cross-controller communication, fragmentation attacks, and black-hole callback attempts, as well as ensuring secure SSL operations and form manipulation protection. These capabilities ensure dependable security for any application.
Laravel offers a variety of fundamental security features such as user authentication, password validation, password reminder and reset, detection of cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and more. Together, these features establish a reliable foundation for website and application security.
Hence, CakePHP has better security measures than Laravel.Testing
Laravel offers two different testing approaches to thoroughly validate the functionality of your application: feature testing and unit testing. Feature testing can be used to assess the entire codebase, while unit testing is the best way to test individual classes, models, and controllers.
CakePHP provides developers with two distinct testing types: unit testing and web testing. Unit testing allows for testing of individual code segments, while web testing can automate testing on various website elements to identify and correct errors. Both testing types are indispensable in ensuring the proper functioning of a website.
Laravel and CakePHP both provide reliable testing options.
Other distinctive features
So, which of the two widely used PHP frameworks – Laravel or CakePHP – is better?
CakePHP is a robust development framework that allows developers to save time and energy while building web applications. The framework is intended to offer a streamlined approach to development while remaining flexible and customizable. With CakePHP, developers are no longer required to begin from scratch when creating web applications since it provides a pre-defined set of tools and functions that expedite the development process. This allows developers to focus their efforts on refining the application to match their particular requirements, significantly accelerating the development process.
Laravel provides various tools to develop robust websites. With Laravel, developers can release their work rapidly and efficiently.
When deciding on a framework, developers must weigh the pros and cons of both Laravel and CakePHP based on the project’s scope and timeline. It is critical to choose an appropriate framework that is tailored to the project’s needs because it influences the development process significantly.
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FAQs
Which one should come first – Laravel back end or front end?
Laravel is a framework for developing apps that operate on a server, such as those that handle orders, user accounts, etc.Is CakePHP easy to learn?
CakePHP is a powerful PHP framework that can be learned quickly and efficiently.What is Blade in Laravel?
Blade is Laravel’s templating engine that offers unique templates and streamlines syntax creation.