PHP Frameworks are the current buzz in the PHP community. What does a framework has that makes it a hot topic at this time? Probably, the primary reason is PHP5, not until the release of PHP5 that frameworks in the PHP community has been openly discussed.

Don’t get the impression that frameworks is only for PHP5. Frameworks in the PHP community exist earlier than you may have ever thought. One of the earliest PHP frameworks is Horde. You might not have been aware but if you have used a webmail, the possibility is, you have used Horde.

If you have not used a framework and planning to use one, step back, first evaluate your requirements. All frameworks despite being promoted as a rapid application development tool, consider the learning curve that may take place. Learning curve varies for each application framework. If you are doing a one off application, it will be better to do a customize application on your own. You may be able to produce a workable, efficient and lean application faster than when using a framework. If however, your requirement is using this application every in every project that you will be engaging into, then fine, go to frameworks and it will save you development in the long term.

What do other people say about frameworks?

Rasmus Lerdorf (creator of the PHP programming language) is actually against using frameworks in his blog, The-no-framework-PHP-MVC-framework. Rasmus quoted in his blog "…I just happen find most of them too complex for my needs and this is a proposed alternative…". Even Rasmus accepts that fact that frameworks are too complex and argued that the same could be achieved in PHP without using additional external layers. Rasmus provided an example using Yahoo! Application.

It is understandable that Rasmus had chosen Yahoo! in his example. Rasmus has been employed by Yahoo! Inc. as an Infrastructure Architecture Engineer.

Manuel Lemos (PHP Classes) in his blog, Recommended PHP Frameworks (Recommended-PHP-frameworks) provided an advice on what criteria is relevant when choosing a framework that addresses the needs of each PHP developer. He also explained why certain frameworks seem very popular while others are not getting as much attention as their developers hoped. Finally, Manuel Lemos mentioned a long list of packages and tools that make up the framework that is used to implement the PHPClasses site.

Manuel Lemos however refrained from recommending any particular framework in his blog. He left this decision to the readers.

Frameworks are always considered as rapid application development tools which make frameworks very appealing at the first instance. However, as Rasmus said in his blog, nobody will build your application for you no matter what the framework promises. Instead you might end up fixing mistakes for the framework instead of spending your time building a lean and reusable pattern that fits your requirements directly.