PHP frameworks are widely used for their functionality and productivity. Most PHP-based frameworks make development fun as they reduce the long lines of code, courtesy of their in-built features. CodeIgniter is one such framework that has gained a lot of attention in recent times.
But what’s truly amazing is that it has managed to beat quite the renowned ones and has risen to a higher rank. Why and how? What is so special about CodeIgniter?
That’s what we are going to discuss here – the key factors that make CodeIgniter more productive than other PHP frameworks, and hence more popular. Let’s begin with the introduction.
What is CodeIgniter?
CodeIgniter is an open-source, PHP framework that is known for its small footprint yet compelling features that make the creation of dynamic web pages a hassle-free affair for developers.
Its elegant and extremely useful toolkit is certainly something to boast about. It facilitates rapid web development with robust features like MVC-based development, simple yet effective error handling, and a massive library.
But these features aren’t the only reasons for its popularity. CodeIgniter has shot to fame because of its simplicity, user-friendliness, and the factors described below.
Easy Learning Curve
Compared to other PHP frameworks like Laravel, CodeIgniter has an easy learning curve. So anyone who is new to PHP and knows MVC will find CodeIgniter easy to work with.
Let’s take configuration for example. Configuring CodeIgniter is extremely easy since no additional support or knowledge is required. But in Laravel, developers should know to use Composer in order to install it properly.
Truly Lightweight
CodeIgniter is truly lightweight. The latest version takes only 1.1 MB to download and the user guide requires an additional 1.6 MB. It has a small footprint indeed.
Good DBMS Support
CodeIgniter provides support for popular and robust Database Management Systems (DBMS) which include MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.
Standard Library
CodeIgniter has a comprehensive, standard library that helps developers with rapid web development with minimal effort. Its in-built libraries include zip encoding, email, unit testing, and calendar.
CodeIgniter also provides default helpers like directories, forms, file handling, and array. Additionally, developers can add their own codes. So it’s easy to introduce variations in this PHP framework.
MVC Architecture
CodeIgniter is based loosely on MVC architecture, which is among the industry standard practices for web application development. In MVC, business logic can be separated from data and presentation. This facilitates faster development.
Since logic and presentation are separated in MVC, it also becomes easy for developers to make changes in the model as that does not affect the overall structure.
SEO-friendly
CodeIgniter helps in URL creation making it more recognizable to search engines. Hence, CodeIgniter can help make your website SEO-friendly. Developers can use its flexible URI Routing feature to design search-engine-friendly URLs. CodeIgniter also offers functions in the URI Library that make it easy for developers to work with their URI data.
Security
CodeIgniter might be small in footprint but that doesn’t mean it lags in security. On the contrary, it provides strong security mechanisms like CSP and context-sensitive escaping to prevent cyber threats. It also contains in-built protection mechanisms against XSS and CSRF attacks like encryption support.
Precise Documentation
Precise and clear documentation is another good thing about CodeIgniter. Right from the most basic introduction to the ‘how to’ notes and tutorials, one can find help with almost anything on CodeIgniter.
It even houses reference documentation for its components. Its detailed documentation is great for people who are just getting started with CI as it will enable them to work out most of the things by themselves.
Easy Availability of Resources
CI is a popular framework and given the advantage of its easy learning curve, one won’t find it difficult to find and hire CodeIgniter developers with hands-on industry experience. The same goes for its community support too.
Thanks to its sturdy build blended with functionalities, CI has gathered enormous support. So it won’t be difficult for developers to serve clients with the best CodeIgniter development services as they can always find help whenever needed.
Web Page Caching
Though CI itself is known for rapid development, it still offers the facility of web page caching. This helps developers to achieve optimum performance. Caching allows developers to create apps that consume fewer resources even for dynamic web pages.
Take Away
We just went through a list of features or rather the strong reasons that highlighted CodeIgniter’s supremacy as a web development framework. Not only does CI offer a suite of powerful tools but also increases an app’s efficiency by offering technological support like database systems.
It’s versatile, fast, performant, and budget-friendly (as it is open-source) which makes it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. So all such stakeholders who are looking to hire PHP developers for their projects, look no further as CI is here at your service.