i'm working with php for quite a time now. I suppose it would be better if i learn some framework and would be added advantage.

Any suggestions for me where to start and which framework to choose ?

Personally I really like CodeIgniter. It's easy to use, it simplifies alot of things, helps you to remain consistent in your coding and it's built entirely on php so there's not much configuration required and no need to use the command line.

Also, you can check out this comparison of php frameworks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ameworks#PHP_2

I always thought framework was just a directory layout, like includes/, /config, /libs, etc.

@lizciz: yes, i googled for some time and found CodeIgniter is really good. I'm thinking about Zend Framework also but i read few articles saying Zend be bit bulky than CodeIgniter. I downloaded CodeIgniter and tried some codes and it's not too difficult.
I'm gonna play with it now.

Originally Posted by Physicsguy

I always thought framework was just a directory layout, like includes/, /config, /libs, etc.

That's a part of it, yes. But there are also much built in functionallity that is performed automatically, so that you don't have to worry about it. In CodeIgniter for example, all input data (i.e. POST and COOKIE) are automatically cleaned, there are different automatic security options (i.e. XSS cleaning, CSRF), libraries and helpers to handle sessions, files, dates, pagination, databases, languages, email, encryption, form validation and more.

Personally I've grown very fond of their Active Record Database Pattern. I'm sure alot of people here know of it already but I didn't before. It's basically just a more convinient way of accessing your database but I really like it.

EDIT: Also, most frameworks (CI included) is built on the Model-View-Control pattern, which lets you keep your backend logic (controls) seperated from the output (views).

Originally Posted by phazorRise

@lizciz: yes, i googled for some time and found CodeIgniter is really good. I'm thinking about Zend Framework also but i read few articles saying Zend be bit bulky than CodeIgniter. I downloaded CodeIgniter and tried some codes and it's not too difficult.
I'm gonna play with it now.

I've tried both Zend and Symphony myself, before I found CodeIgniter. But they both operate through the command line (which I'm guessing can be handy, to have it generate much of the code for you) which means there is a whole new way of working and a new syntax you must learn and master. At the time I did not have the time nor the will to do that so I didn't get very far with those frameworks. Since CodeIgniter is built only on php, and I already new php, that seemed like a better option

That sounds really handy! I'll take a look at it so I can forumulate (see what I did there) a good opinion

Originally Posted by lizciz

I've tried both Zend and Symphony myself, before I found CodeIgniter. But they both operate through the command line (which I'm guessing can be handy, to have it generate much of the code for you) which means there is a whole new way of working and a new syntax you must learn and master.

What do you mean they operate at the command line? Does that mean they can only be downloaded and installed at the command line?

Originally Posted by mgraphic

What do you mean they operate at the command line? Does that mean they can only be downloaded and installed at the command line?

No, I mean that after they've been downloaded and installed properly, you use the command line to run a program in which you can then supply commands to add and edit to the structure and functionalities of the site you're building. You use this program to define structure of your site, and the program adds folders and files (file strucutre for i.e. controllers, models and views) and builds and modifies your databases and tables automatically.

It doesn't do ALL of the work of course. You'll still have to do the actual coding in these files yourself, but I guess the goal is to maximize automated work and minimize manual work where ever possible.

As I wrote eariler, I didn't come very far working with any of those framework, so I can't give you a better description than that

I have absolutely no framework experience, so I was unsure how how that worked.

Originally Posted by infovisionit1

MVC framework is good

Why?
Please explain your comment....))

infovisionit1, do you know used non-MVC frameworks?
Im curious!

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

infovisionit1, do you know used non-MVC frameworks?
Im curious!

Drupal?

CMS != framework
Drupal != Zend framework
Drupal == Joomla
Zend framework == Cake PHP

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

CMS != framework
Drupal != Zend framework
Drupal == Joomla
Zend framework == Cake PHP

I don't know if there is any standardized definition of what a framework is, but if there is I think that a CMS would fit in that defintion.

Originally Posted by lizciz

I don't know if there is any standardized definition of what a framework is, but if there is I think that a CMS would fit in that defintion.

It's all semantics but, in general when I think of a framework I think of an approach to designing an application, whereas a CMS is an application. A CMS can be designed using a particular framework, but the CMS is not that framework.

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

CMS != framework
Drupal != Zend framework
Drupal == Joomla
Zend framework == Cake PHP

The first two are true, as for the other two, I have no idea what you are talking about. Drupal is not Joomla, and Cake PHP is not Zend.

Yes... my bad, I was talking about definitions, not about the entire thing

So, frameworks examples
Zend framework, Cake PHP, Code Igniter etc

CMS examples
Drupa, Joomla, Wordpress

Main ideea : not the same thing (as you also said)

EDIT // @phazorRise
I think Code Igniter is better, when you have a small-medium website. ZendF is to complex to be used in some cases and will only make things harder.
If you will understand CodeI you will also know ZendF and Cake... same MVC principles

Joomla and zend is very good and easy to use framework.

good and easy to use

how ? can you elaborate some things ?

Originally Posted by epixeltechno

Joomla and zend is very good and easy to use framework.

At first, you should read few posts above... then comment...

Otherwise, CI is really nice and easy to use FW. It has also very well written user guide and large community.
As vectorialpx already said, for small-medium web apps one of the best FWs.

To use a framework, you need to know PHP with OOP and MySql
To use a CMS you only have to use it.