Often, the search for the best platform for creating a custom web project ends with the choice of Laravel. This open-source software was specifically created to be used as an assistant in the development of complex sites.
The platform has many advantages and capabilities. With its help, specialists simplify the authentication process, facilitate work with the database, routing, caching, etc. The PHP framework Laravel makes it possible to build a logical website architecture for the implementation of projects of any complexity and type. The platform is often used for online marketplace development. Although with its help, you can implement projects of various resources - from personal to corporate sites and startup development.
Laravel is a PHP framework. Created in 2011, it quickly became very popular and still holds its leading position. This platform is highly productive, has the ability to integrate with other software, and has incredibly extensive functionality. Laravel is the first open source that began using the PSR-4 standard. This made it possible to structure an Internet resource, guided by its own logic and goals for creating a site.
Features of Laravel framework
One of the main features, which can also be called the main advantage of this CRM, is the rapid creation of an Internet resource from scratch. The programmer, using such an assistant, receives at his disposal a variety of tools, through which he can implement tasks of any complexity.
Another feature of Laravel is the adaptability of the system. This means that with its help it is possible to create a unique, in terms of functionality, commercial project online. It is possible to connect a wholesale system and its connection with a call center, implement CRM.
The next feature is simple integration. The platform offers to use clean API interfaces. During development, it will be possible to activate any payment system - from PayPal to WebMoney. It is also possible to add an accounting program and use various tools that automate work with clients.
Many who work with the framework consider its main advantage to be the platform's versatility with the possibility of absolute individualization. Such characteristics are stated by developers of many programs. What is the difference between Laravel?
The universality of CRM can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Yes, this feature allows you to implement a project of any format using the platform, thanks to a variety of tools - scripts and modules. And you will have to pay for this - not only financially, but also in terms of increased resource consumption, because many built-in tools may never be useful.
Laravel's versatility is different. The program allows you to implement any projects. Its functionality is compiled or selected individually. As a result, there is nothing superfluous. Utility in its purest form.
Laravel online store development
Below is a step-by-step process for creating an online store project using Laravel. Thanks to the detailed description of the actions, it will become clear that this platform is an ideal solution for those who need to quickly create a secure and reliable web resource.
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS, MAIN NUANCES
To create a web product, knowledge of a programming language is not enough. Other skills are also necessary. Therefore, it is wiser to entrust the development of the site to a laravel development company.
The first step is to install and configure the framework. Depending on the OS used, the installation methods differ. The best and easiest option is to use Composer. The tool is a dependency manager for PHP. It must be installed on your web server.
After installing Composer, you need to add Laravel Installer to your computer and follow the simple installation and configuration algorithm.
After creating a project in the installation section, you should proceed to setting up the database. The framework supports four DBMS. These are MySQL, Postgres, SQL Server. The easiest to use and configure is the latter.
Next, you need to move on to creating the authentication of the online store. Laravel has a so-called skeleton for setting up authentication. Using the Laravel Jetstream tool, you can create everything you need in advance - user login, two-factor authentication, password loss, etc. This is the last step of the setup. After that, you can proceed directly to creating the online store.
And in development, the first thing you need to do is create a database. Laravel has a great tool for creating tables and database schema and the ability to easily implement them in different systems. This feature is called "Migrations".
Before moving on to the interface, you need to take care of creating controllers. They are needed to process requests and distribute traffic between views and models.
Next, routing is performed. It is needed to accept the request and redirect it to a specific function. For an online store, it is necessary to configure five routes that are needed to perform the following actions:
- authorization;
- registration;
- display a list of all tasks;
- adding new tasks;
- deleting existing tasks.
Next, you need to create views. This is the framework interface that is needed to separate the application logic and the view logic. Before launching the project, you only need to bind the models to the route and edit the views. The last step is necessary so that the views, if necessary, show the form and the required data, using the model objects passed along the routes.
Now all that's left is to run the project. This short guide demonstrates the basic steps of installing the framework, setting up the database, routes, etc.
What is Laravel framework used for?
Laravel Features:
- connecting the modules required for the framework in the form of provider packages - just install one of them via Composer and it will be available without the need for any changes in the code;
- complete security against SQL Injection attacks thanks to the huge functionality of Eloquent ORM, as well as the ability to load data from several tables (solving the N 1 problem) or processing data from the database in parts;
- acceleration of the platform by caching routing and configuration files, templates;
- working with file storage and various databases;
- a simple Blade template engine that allows you to separate the layout from the PHP code;
- multilingual support - you can easily add any languages, and the built-in package already contains translations;
- PHP arrays with very advanced features that can save you a lot of time;
- the function of changing the structure of the database and the ability to roll them back.
Plus: full-text search, huge capabilities for testing, creating truly interactive applications, an advanced command-line interface that allows you to generate models, notifications, run jobs from a job queue, and much more.
To create a good commercial site on Laravel, in addition to a professional web developer, you need to involve a specialist analyst, designer and marketer. As a result of joint activities, a technical task will be created, the necessary code will be written, a unique design will be developed, all elements will be tested. After the successful launch of the site, its operation will be supported.
All these features make the platform ideal as a basis for an online store. But these are not all of its characteristics, the advantages of the framework will be discussed in detail below.
Advantages of Laravel
Availability, virtually unlimited possibilities, various tools - all this is Laravel. Let's consider the main advantages of the platform.
SAFETY
The framework protects the site from the main categories of dangers that may be present on the network. These are cross-site scripting and SQL injections. HTML tags that are potentially dangerous are displayed in such a form that they cannot be executed. The built-in ORM prevents the transfer of "raw" requests and normalizes their parameters so that they cannot cause harm. Neither SQL, nor CSRF, nor XSS can access private data.
SCALABILITY
There are no limitations in the functionality of the project implemented on the platform. The site can constantly develop and expand the initial functionality. Absolutely any implementations are available - even complex functions and services. And all of them are added within the logic of the program - there is no need to bypass the initially embedded restrictions.
RELIABLE ARCHITECTURE
Thanks to the code structure corresponding to the popular MVC pattern, it can be written more readably, which makes the development process more comfortable. Such architecture minimizes the likelihood of problems if it is necessary to make changes to the code - i.e. reduces the number of errors.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
Thanks to our own caching tools, it becomes possible to get acquainted with the data faster. The page loading speed increases.
STRUCTURE OF ANY COMPLEXITY
Architecture with a large number of levels is formed easily and simply.
HASSLE-FREE ADMINISTRATION
Flexible settings allow you to customize the Internet resource to the client’s requirements.
VARIETY OF READY PROJECTS
To fill the site with the necessary functionality, packages are used - an alternative to modules in the CMS. There is free access to the library of pre-installed software. The platform is constantly evolving and improving. Developers are working on support, so it is easy to find a time-tested ready-made option that is ideal for the business format.
FAST LOADING PAGES
Loading speed is one of the important parameters that affects both the resource ranking in search engines and the loyalty of visitors. An important feature of the framework is caching management. The cache at the file system level is activated by default. A number of technologies are offered for choosing the option for storing session objects. These include cookies, temporary PHP arrays, and Memcached.
By choosing information storage technologies, it is possible to significantly reduce the access time to them. The platform has a process queue mechanism. This helps reduce the load on the service, which is very important if the project is highly loaded.
SIMPLE AUTHENTICATION PROCESS
Provided by the presence of the open OAuth protocol. With its help, you can log in to personal areas using social networks or forms.
SPEED OF WEBSITE CREATION
With the help of the platform, resources are created quickly. The implementation of innovative technologies is implemented without problems. The framework itself provides existing modules that cope with solving a huge number of tasks. Their use increases the speed of developing an Internet resource.
BUILT-IN VALIDATORS AND TESTING CAPABILITIES
Such constructions provide the ability to perform data verification using ready-made rules. It is also possible to create your own rules. Thanks to such tools, it is possible to reduce the number of errors in the code, making the web project more reliable. Laravel provides a mechanism for generating unit tests based on the built-in PHPUnit testing software. During tests to check operability, it provides the ability to copy (emulate) page visits, as well as user actions (using links, buttons, entering text, etc.).
SUPPORT FOR DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF WEB RESOURCE
If you need to test updates, you don't need to change the main version. The advantage is that the site will be improved without any discomfort for users.
UPDATES
New versions are constantly being released. Each of them takes into account all the development nuances implemented before the next update.