A PHP framework is like a set of tools that helps web developers build websites and web applications more easily. It provides ready-made code for common tasks, like handling user input and connecting to databases, so developers don't have to write everything from scratch every time they start a new project. It's kind of like having a blueprint or a recipe that guides you through the process of building a website, making the whole thing faster and more organized.
Top 6 PHP frameworks:
| Framework | Description | Key Features | Website |
| Laravel | A popular framework that makes building websites easier. It's known for being user-friendly and having lots of helpful features built-in. | Easy to use, lots of features, good documentation | https://laravel.com/ |
| Symfony | Another widely-used framework that's flexible and can handle big projects. It's made up of smaller parts that you can use separately if you want. | Flexible, good for big projects, can use parts separately | https://symfony.com/ |
| CodeIgniter | This framework is simple and lightweight, making it great for beginners or smaller projects. | Simple, lightweight, good for beginners | https://codeigniter.com/ |
| Yii | Yii is a fast and efficient framework with lots of built-in tools to help you get things done quickly. It's great for building large-scale applications. | Fast, efficient, lots of built-in tools | https://www.yiiframework.com/ |
| Zend Framework | Zend is a powerful framework with a modular structure, meaning you can use only the parts you need. It's good for building robust, enterprise-level applications. | Powerful, modular, good for enterprise-level applications | https://framework.zend.com/ |
| CakePHP | CakePHP is known for its simplicity and convention over configuration approach, meaning it saves time by following common patterns. | Simple, follows common patterns, saves time | https://cakephp.org/ |