Choose Your PHP Fighter!
So, you want to build a web application, but you're stuck choosing between Laravel and CodeIgniter? Fear not, brave developer! Today, we’ll install both and see which one suits your coding style. Think of it as a battle between Iron Man (Laravel) and Captain America (CodeIgniter).
Round 1: Installing Laravel
Laravel is the cool kid in the PHP world. It’s packed with features like built-in authentication, migrations, and the Artisan command-line tool.
1.1 Install Composer (Because Laravel Loves It)
First, you need Composer (PHP’s package manager). If you haven’t installed it yet, do it now:
🔗 Download Composer
Once installed, check if it’s working by running:
composer -V
If it prints the version number, congratulations! You’re officially a composer.
1.2 Installing Laravel (The Easy Way)
Run this command in your terminal:
composer create-project --prefer-dist laravel/laravel my_laravel_app
Go to your project directory:
cd my_laravel_app
Run the development server:
php artisan serve
Now, open your browser and go to http://127.0.0.1:8000 – BOOM! Your Laravel app is live!
Round 2: Installing CodeIgniter
CodeIgniter is the lightweight ninja of PHP frameworks. It’s fast, simple, and doesn’t force you to use complex structures.
2.1 Download CodeIgniter
Visit the official website and grab the latest version: 🔗 Download CodeIgniter
Extract the downloaded file and move it to your web server directory (e.g., htdocs for XAMPP or www for WAMP).
2.2 Start the Server
If you're using XAMPP, start Apache and MySQL, then open your browser and go to:
http://localhost/codeigniter_project/
If you see the CodeIgniter welcome page, congrats!
Laravel vs CodeIgniter: Which One Should You Pick?
| Feature | Laravel | CodeIgniter |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Medium | Easy |
| Performance | Fast | Super Fast |
| Built-in Auth | Yes (artisan) | No (manual) |
| Database ORM | Eloquent | Query Builder |
| Routing | Smart Routing | Basic Routing |
| Template Engine | Blade | PHP Native |
Who Wins? YOU DO!
If you love modern tools, automation, and powerful features, go with Laravel. If you prefer lightweight, speed, and simplicity, CodeIgniter is your best bet.
You’ve successfully installed both Laravel and CodeIgniter – and that’s half the battle! Now, start coding, build awesome apps, and flex your skills like a true developer!
0 Comments