Laravel vs CodeIgniter: Which is better PHP Framework? – Currently, the programming language is growing with many frameworks. In the PHP programming language, there are two frameworks that are popular today, namely Laravel and CodeIgniter.
Both frameworks certainly have advantages and disadvantages of each. But first, you need to know about Laravel vs CodeIgniter. Therefore, let’s look at the following article.
Table of Contents
What is Laravel?
Laravel is one of the most popular frameworks and has existed since 2011 until now. Just like other frameworks, Laravel also functions to make it easier for developers to develop website applications so that they are more expressive, powerful, and fun.
Laravel is also known as a dynamic framework, meaning that it will always change and develop with the latest features. One of the advantages is that it has complete documentation making it easier for you to understand every update.
Laravel Features
Before knowing the difference between Laravel vs CodeIgniter framework, you need to know what Laravel features are. Here are some of Laravel ‘s features :
- Modularity
This modularity feature can help you in using Laravel because there are various libraries and modules available for web development. All modules in Laravel have been integrated with Composer Dependency Manager to simplify the update process.
- Routing
Routing functions to define routes in a flexible website application. This is very helpful for web developers to improve the performance of their websites.
- Testability
In Laravel there are features that function to help when checking applications. This feature is a program that helps when maintaining the source code according to the needs of the user.
- Query Builder
The query builder feature in Laravel is useful for querying databases with a simple and quite powerful method. In addition, Laravel also provides an ActiveRecord or Eloquent implementation and an Object Relational Mapper (ORM).
- Configuration Management Features
Websites that use Laravel will run with various configuration changes constantly. These constant changes are quite consistent and powerful in managing configurations for website applications.
- Template Engine
A template engine is a template that functions to design layout hierarchies and blocks on websites.
- Schema Builder
Laravel can manage various types of databases and schemas in PHP code, then supports all changes that occur according to database migration rules.
- Authentication
Laravel also provides complete authentication features such as registering, sending reset passwords, forgetting passwords, making it easier for developers to authenticate.
What is CodeIgniter?
CodeIgniter is also the same as Laravel, which is an open source framework in the PHP programming language. CodeIgniter vs Laravel actually has almost the same level of popularity.
This framework also speeds up the process of developing website applications because it has various libraries and helpers that make it easier for developers. Laravel vs CodeIgniter architecture is generally the same, namely using MVC.
CodeIgniter Features
The following are the features of CodeIgniter that you need to know:
- Template Engine Class
The use of the template engine class is actually optional for website application developers, because its performance is not equivalent to the performance of PHP Native.
- Pictures Library
The CodeIgniter framework has a special library for managing content on websites in the form of images. It also supports the use of GD, NetPBM, and Image Magick.
- Flexible URI Routing
This feature is used to map URLs and then give a name to a resource .
- Extremely Light Weight
The CodeIgniter framework only requires libraries with small resources, unlike other frameworks in general. Then for other libraries will exist during the request process dynamically. Therefore, CodeIgniter is classified as a lightweight framework.
- Serve Class Email
CodeIgniter provides features for email such as HTML /Text Emails, POP, SMTP, attachments, and many more.
- Security and XSS Filtering
Security is a security feature of CodeIgniter that functions to filter XSS (Cross Site Scripting). XSS is an injection attack in the form of Client Script Code or HTML.
Difference between Laravel vs CodeIgniter Framework
Although Laravel vs CodeIgniter is both frameworks for the PHP programming language, they both have differences with their own uniqueness. So that developers can choose one framework based on application needs and the uniqueness of Laravel and CodeIgniter. Here are the differences.
Model View Controller
CodeIgniter vs Laravel both use the MVC pattern to speed up the website design process. This makes it easier for developers to write code in a project without rewriting it when returning to the project.
Laravel’s MVC is extensive and well-documented and complete, while CodeIgniter’s MVC is also easier for you to learn and implement. Another uniqueness of CodeIgniter is that it is the only PHP framework that does not require users to operate within MVC itself, so it is very flexible.
Structure Database
The Laravel framework uses a database that manages information or object relational mapping (ORM).
This framework also provides data query options, so that it is not only limited to ORM which can cause inconsistencies between queries and return null results because there is a mismatch between Elequent ORM and Query Builder.
CodeIgniter also uses an object relational mapping database , so that each object has data without the need to connect it, this certainly makes it easier for website developers.
Queries contained in CodeIgniter are also more consistent and fast because developers can directly use object code without writing. However, the drawback is that it cannot display relationship patterns in the database like ORM.
Maintenance
The Laravel framework is easier to maintain so it is very suitable for enterprise development. Laravel can work better when you as a developer are able to do routine maintenance.
While CodeIgniter is very bad at handling maintenance because there is no modular separation. This is what causes developers to run out of time to write more code on the website.
Template Engine
Laravel vs CodeIgniter in this respect has a difference in the global template system. CodeIgniter does not support the global template system as it maintains a small footprint. In contrast to Laravel which uses a Blade template which does not need to add information by changing the MVC.
Authentication
Laravel provides authentication features that make it very easy for developers to create verification or authentication rules. While CodeIgniter does not provide this feature so developers have to create their own manually. Of course, this is time consuming.
HTTPS Support
Another difference between CodeIgniter vs Laravel lies in the HTTPS support. The Laravel framework supports HTTPS more and can then also define custom HTTPS routes, so developers only create URLs for HTTPS routes.
Whereas CodeIgniter doesn’t support HTTPS well. Developers still need to create data transmissions using URLs by creating Patas.
Which do you prefer, Laravel or CodeIgniter?
After reading this article, of course you now know more about the difference between Laravel vs CodeIgniter. Which one is more suitable for you to use to develop a website? Of course it is according to the needs of each.
After determining which framework you will use, the next step is to determine the Hosting and Domain to try out your website.