What is the Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel

The main difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel is that CodeIgniter allows creating and maintaining modules using Modular Extension while Laravel provides built-in modularity features.

PHP is a server-side scripting language mainly used for web development. It is possible to embed PHP code with HTML. PHP can perform file handling, form handling, sending emails, uploading files, handling cookies and many other tasks. Furthermore, PHP application can be connected with MySQL DBMS to insert, update and delete data in the database. Overall, CodeIgniter and Laravel are PHP-based frameworks which are based on MVC design pattern.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is CodeIgniter
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is Laravel
     – Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

CodeIgniter, HTML, Laravel, MVC, PHP

Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel - Comparison Summary

What is Codeigniter

CodeIgniter is a PHP web framework based on the Model, View, Controller (MVC) design pattern. The model represents the business logic and the view denotes the user interfaces while the controller handles the incoming requests. In CodeIgniter development, the controller classes are necessary and models and views are optional. Also, it is possible to modify this framework to use with Hierarchical Model View Controller (HMVC). It allows developers to maintain a modular grouping of controller, models, and views organized in a subdirectory format.

Main Difference - CodeIgniter vs Laravel

CodeIgniter is a lightweight framework. The developer can easily integrate this framework with an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as Eclipse. It also consists of libraries to develop and deploy applications. Moreover, it provides clear documentation.

What is Laravel

Laravel is a PHP web framework. It is also based on the MVC design pattern. Moreover, Laravel is based on another PHP framework called Symphony. Besides, Laravel source code is hosted on GitHub and is licensed under the terms of MIT License.

Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel

Laravel also has a modular packaging system with dedicated dependency manager. There are different ways of accessing RDBMS and there is support for application development and maintenance. Furthermore, Laravel composer helps to include all the required dependencies and libraries. There are also authentication features such as register and provide capabilities of sending emails.

Difference Between CodeIgniter and Laravel

Definition

CodeIgniter is an open source rapid development web framework that helps to build dynamic web sites with PHP. Laravel, on the other hand, is an open source PHP framework intended for developing web applications, which is based on Symfony. Thus, this is the main difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel.

Developer

CodeIgniter was developed by the British Columbia Institute of Technology while Laravel was developed by Taylor Otwell.

Routing

There is also a difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel in terms of routing. While CodeIgniter supports explicit and implicit routing, Laravel supports explicit routing.

Object Relational Mapping (ORM) support

CodeIgniter does not support ORM. In contrast, Laravel supports Eloquent object-relational mapping ORM.

Creating modules

Moreover, CodeIgniter requires the developers to create and maintain modules using Modular Extension. In contrast, Laravel is designed with built-in modularity features.

Database Schema Migration

There are no specific features to simplify database schema migration in CodeIgniter whereas it is easier to perform database schema migration with the Laravel features. Hence, this is an important difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel.

Template engine

In addition, CodeIgniter does not provide built-in template engine while Laravel provides inbuilt template engine Blade.

REST API

While it is difficult to develop REST API with CodeIgniter, it is easier to develop REST API with Laravel.

HTTPS support

HTTPS support is another difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel. CodeIgniter does not support HTTPS routes sufficiently while Laravel allows developers to establish custom HTTPs routes.

Conclusion

CodeIgniter and Laravel are well structured, cross-platform PHP frameworks to build robust applications. The main difference between CodeIgniter and Laravel is that CodeIgniter allows creating and maintaining modules using Modular Extension while Laravel provides built-in modularity features. Considering the above properties, Laravel provides more advantages than CodeIgniter. However, the developer can select a suitable framework depending on the application.

Reference:

1.“CodeIgniter.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Mar. 2019, Available here.
2.“Laravel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Apr. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1.” Logo of Laravel framework” via By Github.com (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “CodeIgniter Code III” By Kovah (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

About the Author: Lithmee

Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.

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