The Codeigniter framework has released another update to their lightweight PHP MVC (Model View Controller) framework. This release of the lightweight framework is sure to cause a few more developers to consider this framework as an alternative to CakePHP or Symfony
So what are the benefits of using CodeIgniter over the previously mentioned frameworks. Firstly, the setup no need to install any other packages such as PEAR or mass configuration file editing. Just 4 fields and you can start developing your application also when transferring to your host the only thing you need is PHP 4 or 5. The benefits don’t stop there CodeIgniter comprehensive documentation make the already quick learning curve a breeze. The other two applications lack the documentation and are sometimes rather complex for a novice user get to grips although both are exceptional frameworks in their own right.
After a period of quiet three releases have come out in quick succession 1.4.0, 1.4.1 and now 1.5.0. This new release adds to the database integration adding database caching, backup and transaction support. Support for other facilities such as Profiling which generates a report of Benchmark execution times, queries, and POST data at the bottom of your pages. A User Agent Library identifying browsers, robots, and mobile devices.
CodeIgniter is open source and is maintained by Rick Ellis from pMachine this combination of a small but very active community with a commercial enterprise is surely bearing fruit and could become a major player in the open source framework landscape. This framework definitely has great potential and is addressing a lot of the problems that some of the other frameworks have with simple solutions. Hat’s off to CodeIgniter
November 2, 2006
“The other two applications lack the documentation”.
It must be a joke.
symfony has more than 600 pages of online documentation since day 1 + full online API doc.
http://www.symfony-project.com/content/documentation.html
November 2, 2006
I must admit a mistake when counting the documentation pages but the documentation in CodeIgniter is much easier to understand quickly in Symfony it is difficult to get everything working correctly immediately installing PEAR etc. After three days I had basically produced nothing as I was still trying to get the configuration working correctly.
November 3, 2006
I get the impression you haven’t even used Cake either. It also has a veritable shitload of documentation. Along with that you don’t need to install crap from PEAR and configuration involves editing a few lines of a config file.
So, with that said, do you have any points to make that are actual advantages of the framework you are championing over the competition?
November 3, 2006
Well Flash I have read some of the documentation but as I’m not from a PHP background but rather c, c++ and java. So I was also on a PHP learning curve. Yes the documentation is large but I found CodeIgniter quicker to learn and easier as the number of classes are smaller so to familiarize myself are easier. Once my PHP skills have improved I will be trying Cake again. Cake has many more advanced features than CodeIgniter and so for that matter does Symfony but for the moment I’m more than content with what CodeIgniter offers.
December 5, 2006
“Firstly, the setup no need to install any other packages such as PEAR or mass configuration file editing. Just 4 fields and you can start developing your application”
Uh, how is that any different from Cake?
December 18, 2007
i like code igniter , it is easy to use. i felt the others are not easier as code igniter.