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CodeIgniter vs. Laravel: Which is the better PHP Framework?

Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel

by Rajni
Laravel vs CodeIgniter cover
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Introduction

As you embark on your web development journey, selecting the right framework becomes crucial. Making a choice between CodeIgniter and Laravel for the success and productivity of your web development project can often lead to confusion. These two heavyweight PHP frameworks have earned the trust of developers for ensuring project success. To determine the best option, this article examines their differences and strengths. Let’s begin! 

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What is CodeIgniter?

CodeIgniter is a lightweight and user-friendly PHP framework. It comes with a set of tools and libraries to create a dynamic feature-rich web application and website. 

CodeIgniter offers both flexibility and enhanced performance while maintaining a remarkably small footprint. The best part is you don’t have to rewrite the same code again. 

If you are looking for a straightforward PHP framework that doesn’t take much time to learn, then CodeIgniter is the best option for you.

CodeIgniter Features
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Features of CodeIgniter

  • CodeIgniter uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture pattern. Thus, resulting in high website performance.  
  • It has minimal configuration requirements. Which, thus, makes it easy to develop and maintain web applications.  
  • The platform offers active record database support. This feature, thus, streamlines database operations. It also enhances secure and efficient database interactions.  
  • In addition, CodeIgniter comes equipped with built-in security features. This includes input data filtering and output escaping, to safeguard applications from XSS Attacks and SQL injection. 

Related Post: Why Use CodeIgniter?

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Why Should You Consider CodeIgniter for Web Application Development?

You should choose CodeIgniter for the following reasons:  

  • Customizable image manipulation libraries and class extensions contribute to smooth web application development. 
  • CodeIgniter is SEO-friendly. It is easy to optimize search engine optimizers such as URI Library, URI Routing, and URL Helper to generate human-friendly URLs. 
  • It provides all the resourceful tools to configure, which promotes rapid web development and a faster time to market. 
  • It provides an option to host the application on either Apache or Nginx. 
  • CodeIgniter has a gentle learning curve and is easy to work with. Thus, it is easy to find a PHP developer with expertise in this framework. 
  • It places more emphasis on robust security features so developers can prevent common security risks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF). 
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What is Laravel?

Laravel is a powerful PHP framework that comes with comprehensive toolkit design to build complex web applications. For developers looking to accelerate their development process with various compatible packages and extensions, Laravel is the best bet

Laravel offers a rich look and feel to your website. It also helps offers efficiency and modern features that you look for in your website.

Laravel Features
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Features of Laravel

  • Eloquent object relational mapper (ORM) allows interaction with the database using PHP objects. That too without the need for complex SQL queries.  
  • Laravel includes a blade template engine for dynamic and reusable views. It, thus, enhances the separation of logic and presentation.  
  • It provides an artisan command line tool with helpful commands to generate code, run migration, and manage application environments.  
  • The framework’s rich ecosystem of packages and libraries extends functionalities such as authentication and payment processing. 
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Reasons to Consider Laravel for Web Application Development

The following are the reasons to consider Laravel for web application development: 

  • It supports composer-based dependency manager and modular packaging. 
  • LOC container lets developers create new tools easily, and auto-loading functions eliminate the tedious manual task of path creation. 
  • It has detailed documentation and supports Object Relational Mapping (ORM). 
  • It offers a blade-templating engine, which contributes to the creation of performant and Lightning -fast applications. 
  • It has all the necessary built-in version control systems that allow seamless Laravel migration. 
  • Laravel is compatible with popular databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.  
  • It comes with a composer-based dependency manager and modular packaging. 
  • Laravel validation ensures data integrity, reliability, and security in web applications. 
  • Its query-building mechanism enables PHP developers to impose limitations on collections of DBM objects. 
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Difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel

CodeIgniterLaravel
Excellent choice for beginners to create a basic websiteOffers an array of built-in features like authentication, routing, and caching. This reduces the need to reinvent the wheel and accelerates development
Developers with limited experience in web development can learn CodeIgniter with easeExpressive syntax and developer-friendly APIs make code more understandable
A lightweight design offers superior performance.Extensive ecosystem of packages, plugins, and resources, streamlining development and expanding possibilities
Ideal for projects with a few features that benefit from quick turnaround timesSuitable for projects that require building larger, more complex applications with extensive functionalities

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Final Verdict - CodeIgniter and Laravel: Which is the better PHP Framework?

It is difficult to determine which framework is the best. Choosing the right framework depends on your project requirements. For simple projects or for those new to web development, CodeIgniter’s simplicity may be the best choice. 

On the other hand, if you’re working on an advanced application that demands scalability, features, and a well-organized codebase, Laravel’s rich ecosystem and capabilities could be more fitting.

In conclusion, CodeIgniter and Laravel cater to different ends of the web development spectrum. Want to hire Laravel developers or a CodeIgInter developer? Then sign up with Olibr, a one-stop destination to find the best vetted developers.

FAQs

Laravel and CodeIgniter have distinct performance characteristics that depend on various factors, such as the specific application’s requirements, coding practices, and server setup. Comparing their overall speed is not straightforward, as both frameworks offer different features and trade-offs in terms of performance.

Yes, CodeIgniter is generally considered easier to learn compared to Laravel. CodeIgniter has a simpler and more straightforward structure, making it a great choice for beginners or developers looking for a lightweight framework with a gentle learning curve.

Laravel is often recommended for larger projects due to its extensive feature set, including robust tools for handling complex applications. While CodeIgniter is also capable, Laravel’s more advanced features and modular architecture make it better suited for handling the demands of larger and more intricate projects.

Laravel validation ensures that user input meets the expected format. By default, Laravel uses ValidatesRequeststrait for its base controller class, which seamlessly validates all incoming HTTP requests coming from clients. 

Middleware enforces security measures in Laravel, manages sessions, and applies HTTP requests globally or to specific routes.

Rajni

Rajni Rethesh is a Senior Content Strategist and Writer with extensive expertise in the B2B domain. She is the author of the bestselling women-centric book, 'Sitayana'.

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