Get familiar with these 5 Best PHP Frameworks for Modern Web Development

  • Sundew
    Sundew
  • sundew
    10 min.read
  • sundew
    October 30th, 2018
  • Technology
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Web Application development is quite a complex and prolonged process.  But, with the right PHP framework, Sun Dew Solutions can ease out the process and minimize the time required for development. PHP, also known as Hypertext Preprocessor is one of the most powerful and popular server-side scripting languages which provides a wide gamut of frameworks that build complex applications and enterprise-class websites easily.

PHP Frameworks come in all categories of form and sizes and have targeted developers with different levels of experience, application needs, hosting capabilities, and development time-frames. One should always consider picking the modern PHP Framework that provides well organized, reusable and maintainable code. It’s also important to understand why PHP 5 and 5.6 became obsolete, since outdated versions can create major security and compatibility issues for web projects. Most modern PHP frameworks follow the Model-View-Controller pattern that ensures the separation of presentation and logic and support modern web development practices.

Look at the 5 best PHP Frameworks that increases productivity and makes web development streamline-

1.    Laravel

Laravel PHP framework is comparatively new and it is one of the most robust and popular tools which is been used extensively by a large number of experienced web developers. The framework is designed with lightweight template processor called ‘Blade’ elegant syntax that makes task simple and enables frequent chores such as authentication, caching, sessions, Restful routing, and queuing easier for developers. Laravel also includes a local development environment called homestead that is a packed Vagrant box.

2.    Symfony

Symfony is the second most popular PHP Framework after Laravel. It is a reliable and high performing framework developed for creating websites and applications.  Symfony is also built on similar web architecture design patterns like Laravel which includes components such as Drupal, EZ Publish and phpBB.  It’s hard to determine which is superior among Laravel and Symfony as they both have common and excellent features and are among the most popular framework used in website development.

3.    Phalcon

Phalcon is another popular framework among the developers because it is fast with low overheads and it is written in C and C++ to attain the highest level of performance. Phalcon not only speed up the execution process but it also decreases resource usage.  Phalcon framework is equipped with advanced features like auto-loader, asset management, caching, security, translation and many more. It is definitely worth a try! 

4.    CakePHP

CakePHP is great for commercial web applications and is packed with cool features such as database access, caching, validation and so on. Even though it a decade old framework, but it is still counted as one of the popular PHP frameworks. However, the latest version CakePHP Framework 3.6 upgraded the session management, modularity and enhanced the ability to create more standalone libraries. CakePHP has been used by many big brands like BMW, Express and Hyundai for developing their websites.  

5.    Codeignitor

Codeignitor is a developer friendly framework with the simple installation process and minimalistic configuration setup which can save you from a lot of hassle. It is an ideal choice if you want to avoid PHP version conflict and works fine on almost all shared and dedicated hosting platforms.  As Codeignitor is not built on MVC development pattern, it gives developers a great freedom where they can use their own code and naming conventions. Being one of the lightweight frameworks, it gives developers an opportunity to add third-party plugins to perform more complex functionalities.

Each framework has its own perks and flaws, however choosing the right one depends on various factors like speed, ease of use, security, scalability, documentation and hosting sources. Along with that, the skill sets of the developer and the project they will be working on also come into consideration. Just be sure to check the company behind the development of each framework to be certain, it is actively maintained and has long-term support which will ensure that it remains updated in the future.

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5 major differences between Android and iOS App development

Mobile Application Software is a significant investment. If you have an idea that might get smartphone users hooked to your App, for all the good reasons, you will be making Millions! The Mobile Application Market has grown from USD 154.05 billion in 2019 to USD 170.52 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 366.34 billion by 2027.But the one thing that becomes the cause of confusion while looking into Application Development is which platform App Engineers should go with. The presence of two smartphone operating systems - Apple's iOS and Google's Android, makes choosing one a difficult crossroad. There are several advantages and drawbacks associated with both platforms. So before investing your money in the next Revolutionizing Application Software, you might want to choose a firm base for its operation.Here are 5 major differences between iOS and Android App development1. Target Audience- iOS devices are known for their high price value and an overall excellent performance statistic, which inclines the customers' loyalty. On the other hand, Android devices are comparatively cheaper. Hence, an extensive User pool is created, but there are more factors that one must consider while choosing a particular platform.In the plain picture, Android users dominate the iOS users in matters of numbers. While IOS users only take up about 16% of the World's Population, Android users surpass them by 80%. This statistic might support Android users' predominance, but when looking at the data of people who own an iOS device, they have a higher range of income and spend more time on the phone. As a result, these people are more likely to pay for your application services.In terms of User reach - Android dominates the market.But in terms of profit, The Apple App Store has a larger market. "As of 2019, the Apple App Store has earned $155 billion in revenue for its app developers since the store launched in 2008. By comparison, in 2019, Android developers have only earned $80 billion since launch."- Mooc.orgWhile choosing a platform one should analyze two questions:Which audience is the App more specified to? And How are you planning to regain profit via your Application?Cross- Platform Apps - If you are opting for a greater reach, there is another way in which your application will be launched on both of the platforms, aiming for maximum User exposure. Cross-Platform Apps are cheaper than native apps, and they function with better speed and reusable codes. Still, on the other side, they are limited in flexibility and are complicated to process and maintain.2. Programming Language - While analyzing differences between Android Apps and iOS Apps, the most distinctive difference is the usage of different Programming Languages. Android Apps are created via Java or Kotlin programming languages which are more elaborative and complicated, While iOS Apps require the Swift programming language for their development.Swift- Requires lesser inscription of Codes; hence the Coding process is faster and easier. It also allows high-interaction interfaces.Java- Java can develop your Application as a cross-platform app, as it enables you to conduct web development, server work, and mobile app development, all in a single place.3. Development Tools - There are specific development tools for Android and iOS Apps. Android Apps have been created through Android Studio, the primary IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for native Android application development, since 2014. The free software launched by Google functions as an intelligent code editor and encompasses the features of Code templates and GitHub integration, multi-screen app development, etc. IOS Apps are crafted through- Xcode, the center of the Apple development experience, released in 2003 by Apple. The Xcode includes Command Line Tools (CLT), which allow UNIX-style development through the Terminal app in macOS. The program tools operate on particular programming languages; for example, one can only use Swift Programming language in Xcode. 4. Design - Android App designs are guided by 'Material Design' on the other hand iOS Apps are built under 'Human Interface Guidelines. The distinctiveness of Designs between Android Apps and iOS Apps can be easily figured out.IOS Apps are more packed with content than the designs, and thus the App layouts are straightforward with broad white spaces in use. In addition, UI designers focus on shadows and gradients and amplify the depth of the Application Design. Android Apps are packed with more colours and designs that reflect the Real-world. Colours and Motion are the defining factors for Android Apps.Here are some differences between Android App and iOS App designsNavigation bar placement - In Android Apps, the navigation bar is placed in the left portion, while in iOS Apps, it is centrally aligned.Device fragmentation - Multiple Android OS versions make it difficult to design an Android App. A series of different screen sizes and layout proportions and buffering app interfaces on low version Android devices make it a complicated designing process.Widgets - Widgets are graphical user elements that display pieces of information and engage in user interaction. These Widgets are extensively supported by Android Apps, while on the other aspect, iOS Apps are still getting a hold of Widgets in their interface.5. Cost and Profit strategies - Even though it seems costly, one can do App Development on both Android and iOS platforms for free. The free tools given by Apple and Google can craft an excellent Application. But when you seek professional services and perfection, your budget can rise. The creation of an Application may or may not include financial outputs, but the actual expenditure begins when you launch your App in the market. iOS apps require a deposit of $100 per year with higher enterprise prices, while Google Play Store demands a one-time fee of $25. The acceptance procedure of Applications in the iOS market is also very lengthy and requires a longer time as compared to that with the Android Applications. The Apple experts conduct detailed tests and elaborately analyze iOS Applications. On the other hand, Android Applications easily get through the market tests, but they suffer in their service qualities.The Profit Strategies are also different in both cases. Android Applications gain profit through Ads mostly, while the iOS Applications ignore them to ensure users' convenience. The in-app purchases are more significant in Android Apps, but the transaction cost is higher in the case of iOS Apps. The primary strategy for gaining investment returns in the case of IOS apps is Paid applications. 11% of iOS gaming Apps include payments, while the percentage falls to 7% in the case of Android gaming Apps.In a nutshell, While Android Applications dominate the numerics, iOS Applications generate more profit. Want to learn about Mobile App development in detail? Contact us for a FREE consultation today!

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Website Redesign tips one should never overlook

In today’s time having a website is mandatory to make your presence felt in the marketplace. A website not only helps you to represent your business but it allows you to communicate with your potential customers and meet their needs. Thus, if you aim for your website to deliver significant results in terms of generating huge traffic and ROI then it really needs to be well designed and build explicitly keeping in mind your services. Redesigning a website is often a daunting task it means you have to rebuild creating new databases, dealing with code, servers and modify every nook of the back-end side. In addition to that maintaining website's SEO is also an important task.If a website design does not reflect your proficiency, success on the internet will remain as a dream.So, here are the bespoke redesign tips for a website that one should never ignore:Focus on sharp visual features and elementsMost successful companies emphasize on having strong visual elements in their website as people responds more to images, videos and graphics than to plain text. So, by inducing eye-catchy visuals and animations which is the ongoing trend or by altering the ‘Call-to-Action’ slightly, one can actually make the audience stay longer on their website.Make your Website SEO friendlyWhen one is willing to bring their website into the spotlight of search engines, attention should be given to make the website easy enough to crawl for the search engine bots. If they don’t find it up there, the dream of seeing at the top of the search results will be crushed. So, SEO should always be a fundamental consideration for your website redesign. Once the development is done always focus on strong Technical SEO Audits.Use contrasting coloursMake your website redesign click by using contrasting hues.  One can highlight the main sections of the website with complementary colours to bring attention to the requisite website visitors. Minimize page loading timeWe all know that slower page loading can cause a significant drop in generating revenue. Bounce rate increases when loading time exceeds 7 seconds which results in loss of interest amongst the target audience. So, focus on minimizing the page loading time this will help to surge user satisfaction, visitor retention and loyalty.Opt for a mobile-friendly siteAs per the recent survey by Google this year, the mobile version of a particular site is the initial point which Google includes in indexing and which is how the rankings are being measured. So, make your website mobile friendly to rank better ahead of the competitors in your network.So, before you opt for redesigning your website, gather details of the current web traffic, bounce rate, conversion and time on page to see visible results. For further information, get in touch with us!

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Accelerating Digital Transformation Through the Cloud

Digital TransformationModernity in all senses aims at upgrading existing processes. Businesses are taking over their previous selves by adopting New Age technologies and newer Automation tools, bringing an overall business system transformation, unhinging their looser ends and revamping their industrial delivery.A Digital Transformation is more than mere implementation of innovative tech tools and converting manual processes into a digital one, rather, the process is different for each respective Company. Shifting to Cloud enables the support of a vigorous Computing power to achieve a full fledged Digital Transformation, and thus more and more businesses are adopting Cloud Services.The worldwide cloud computing industry size is anticipated to grow from USD 445.3 billion in 2021 to USD 947.3 billion by 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% during the calculated period. - Research findings by Markets and MarketsIn This reading we will be talking about What is Cloud Computing?How does the Cloud amplify Digital Transformation? Why is Cloud inevitable for Digital Transformation?What is Cloud Computing?To eradicate the inconvenience of maintaining software applications in personal computers and unpredictable data losses, The Cloud has emerged as an on demand provider of IT Softwares and Data Storage services that can be accessed through the Internet without running any Software application physically. Cloud servers are located in data centers all over the world and thus it allows users to view the same file from any device irrespective of the geographical location.How it WorksCloud Computing is based on a process called Virtualization, that authorizes the creation of a “Virtual machine” which is a simulated virtual Computer that works as a physical one with its own hardware, but only Digitally. The Virtual machines follow the principles of sandboxing and thus can operate in multiple layers in the same physical device, maintaining the invisibility of software applications and files based on one Virtual Machine from the others. Cloud services that operate through a user access by using a browser or an application can connect the cloud over the Internet, irrespective of the device used in operation. Thus safeguarding data even if one of the servers crashes.Main Service ModelsIaaS - Infrastructure-as-a-Service: Through this Model the Cloud Computing Companies provide servers and storage, delivering a Cloud infrastructure upon which the Consumer Company can build their own desired applications. Paas - Platform-as-a-Service : Through this Model the Cloud Computing Companies deliver Tools along with the server and storage facilities, so that the Consumer Company can build the necessary applications, over the Internet. Saas- Software-as-a-Service : This is by far the most used Cloud Service Model as it offers the Consumer company readily available softwares which they can simply access through the Internet without any manual installations.How does the Cloud amplify Digital Transformation?An Intensified Security- Data has become the basis of all businesses in this Age. With New innovations like Robotic Process Automation depending on data to create intelligent AI and ML Systems, the essentiality of Data has increased. A well backed up Data Center generated by Cloud reduces the risk of Data breaches and data loss that can strangle a Company’s Reputation as well its Economy. Although Cloud Data houses suffer from data protection shortcomings, These can easily be adequate by using Cloud Data Security services that Authenticize and control Data flow over the Internet.Minimizes Financial Spending- If done correctly, Cloud Computing can save an enormous amount of money by removing or insignificant resources. Public Clouds maintain segregated data in the data warehouses with lower cost prices and look after the Original Company’s Data.The Hardware provided through Cloud Computing is maintained by the Provider, cutting costs of New Investments. This also saves for the necessity of Private staff to operate the Data centers. The pay-as-you-go format associated with it makes initial investments more profitable as Companies will be paying only for the services in use.Enhanced Scalability And Elasticity- The Accelerating Scalability associated with Cloud has made it Popular in the first place. Companies can choose their IT resources, increasing or decreasing their usage with required demand. The Traditional process required a very long time to be initiated following a lot of expense, while Scaling with Cloud Infrastructure is a convenient and quick process. Companies can choose between an Elastic or a Scalable Solution. The Elastic solution will provide for a Cloud Infrastructure that can expand or minimize synchronizing with the workload demand, Changing Swiftly. This fits best for Companies that have an unpredictable Workload. On the other hand, the Scalable Solution ensures a pre-designed and well rooted growth. This feature allows individual and aspiring Companies to grow on their own, without any financial burden. Global Accessibility- An Active internet connection is enough to make you access your data and the IT resources provided by cloud anywhere throughout the Globe. This feature has enabled the Extension of a Brand’s workforce irrespective of Geographical boundaries. Appointing skilled employees is another advantage for a well thriving Company. This also allows disabled people more employment opportunities and makes an all inclusive atmosphere for an Enterprise which has advantages of its own. Implementing Automation- Organizing workload traditionally is a very time consuming and repetitive process which is open to errors. These errors on the other hand are fatal for the Enterprise as they highlight threats and delay ongoing processes. By implementing tools of automation and orchestration, managing connections and operations can be automated. This means that computer systems, services and softwares can be coordinated through the Cloud itself, building a well managed and an efficient system. Agility- The process of being Agile drives businesses to prosperity. Simply put, it is the ability to adapt with changing business environments dynamically and rapidly, in a cost-effective manner. The extensive resources delivered through Cloud enables businesses to create, test and launch softwares beneficial for the business almost in no time. This Time saving process is also adaptable while delivering finished IT projects. Quality Softwares upgrade the skill set of the Organization, enhancing agility which drives Digital Transformation.Although Cloud Computing is not free from insufficiencies, with advancing technologies and Data Security Solutions it can be the way to achieve a resilient Digital Transformation. A robust Digital infrastructure, minimal cost, an extensive Data warehouse, better Software Solutions, and the other features that Cloud Comprises makes the process of Transformation from the very core, re-establishing business architecture and revamping its assets. Thus Cloud is a necessity to facilitate Digital Transformation.  

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