Laravel

The PHP Framework for Web Artisans

Laravel is a free, open-source PHP web framework created by Taylor Otwell, designed for the development of web applications following the model–view–controller (MVC) architectural pattern. Since its release in 2011, Laravel has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks due to its elegant syntax, comprehensive documentation, and rich ecosystem. Laravel emphasizes developer productivity and code quality, providing a robust set of tools and an expressive, elegant syntax that makes common tasks like authentication, routing, sessions, and caching simple and enjoyable.

What is Laravel?

Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. It attempts to take the pain out of development by easing common tasks used in the majority of web projects, such as authentication, routing, sessions, and caching. Laravel aims to make the development process a pleasing one for the developer without sacrificing application functionality.

Laravel is accessible, yet powerful, providing tools needed for large, robust applications. A superb combination of simplicity, elegance, and innovation gives you a complete toolset required to build any application with which you are tasked. Laravel values beauty, simplicity, and readability, making it a joy to work with.

🎯 Core Philosophy

  • β€’Elegant, expressive syntax
  • β€’Developer happiness and productivity
  • β€’Modern PHP best practices
  • β€’Comprehensive feature set

πŸ’‘ Perfect For

  • β€’Web applications and APIs
  • β€’SaaS and multi-tenant apps
  • β€’E-commerce platforms
  • β€’Enterprise applications

Key Features & Capabilities

1

Eloquent ORM

Elegant ActiveRecord implementation for database operations with intuitive syntax for relationships, queries, and data manipulation. Work with databases using beautiful, expressive PHP code.

2

Blade Templating Engine

Powerful templating engine with inheritance, sections, components, and slots without performance overhead. Write clean, maintainable views with minimal syntax.

3

Artisan Console

Command-line tool for common development tasks like migrations, seeding, testing, and custom commands. Automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity.

4

Expressive Routing

Intuitive routing system with middleware support, route caching, and RESTful resource controllers. Define application endpoints with clean, readable syntax.

5

Built-in Authentication

Out-of-the-box authentication and authorization systems with password reset, email verification, and multi-auth support. Security made simple.

6

Database Migrations

Version control for database schema with rollback capability and team collaboration support. Share database changes across your team easily.

7

Queue System

Defer time-consuming tasks to background jobs with support for multiple queue backends like Redis, Beanstalk, SQS, and database drivers.

8

Real-time Broadcasting

Event broadcasting to frontend using WebSockets with Laravel Echo and Pusher integration. Build real-time, reactive applications effortlessly.

Why Choose Laravel?

⚑

Developer Productivity

Write clean, expressive code quickly with Laravel's intuitive syntax and comprehensive feature set. Build applications faster than ever.

🎁

Built-in Features

Authentication, caching, sessions, queues, file storage, and email out of the box. No need for third-party packages for common functionality.

πŸ—οΈ

MVC Architecture

Organized code structure for maintainability with clear separation of concerns between models, views, and controllers.

πŸ‘₯

Active Community

Large community with packages like Forge, Vapor, Nova, forums, Laracasts video tutorials, conferences, and meetups worldwide.

πŸ”₯

Modern PHP

Leverages latest PHP features and best practices including namespaces, dependency injection, interfaces, and modern syntax.

βœ…

Testing Support

Built-in testing support with PHPUnit integration, database factories, HTTP testing, and browser testing with Laravel Dusk.

πŸ“š

Comprehensive Documentation

Well-written documentation that covers every aspect of the framework with clear examples, best practices, and detailed explanations.

🌟

Rich Ecosystem

Extensive ecosystem including Forge (deployment), Vapor (serverless), Nova (admin panel), Horizon (queues), and thousands of packages.

What Can You Build with Laravel?

1

Web Applications

Build robust, full-featured web applications with complex business logic, database relationships, and user management. Perfect for SaaS products.

Examples:Business PortalsSaaS ProductsInternal Tools
Technologies:Eloquent ORMBladeLivewireInertia.js
2

RESTful APIs

Create powerful, versioned APIs for mobile and web clients with API resources, authentication via Sanctum or Passport, and rate limiting.

Examples:Mobile APIsThird-party IntegrationsMicroservices
Technologies:API ResourcesSanctumPassportJSON API
3

E-commerce Platforms

Develop custom online shopping systems with payment processing, inventory management, order tracking, and customer management.

Examples:Online StoresMarketplacesSubscription Services
Technologies:StripePayPalShopping CartPayment Gateways
4

SaaS Applications

Build multi-tenant SaaS products with subscription billing, team management, feature access control, and usage tracking.

Examples:Multi-tenant AppsSubscription ServicesCloud Software
Technologies:Laravel CashierMulti-tenancyStripe Billing
5

Content Management Systems

Create custom CMS solutions tailored to specific content workflows, publishing requirements, and editorial processes.

Examples:Custom CMSPublishing PlatformsMedia Sites
Technologies:NovaFilamentBackpackVoyager
6

Social Networks

Develop social platforms with real-time features, notifications, messaging, activity feeds, and user interactions.

Examples:Social AppsCommunity PlatformsForums
Technologies:BroadcastingNotificationsWebSocketsPusher
7

Admin Panels & Dashboards

Build backend management interfaces for data entry, reporting, system configuration, and user administration.

Examples:Admin PanelsDashboardsManagement Systems
Technologies:NovaFilamentChartsData Tables
8

Booking & Reservation Systems

Create appointment systems, booking platforms, reservation management with availability checking, notifications, and payment integration.

Examples:Appointment SystemsHotel BookingEvent Registration
Technologies:CalendarNotificationsPaymentEmail

Simple Laravel Example

UserController.php
<?php

namespace App\Http\Controllers;

use App\Models\User;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;

class UserController extends Controller
{
    // Display all users
    public function index()
    {
        $users = User::with('posts')
            ->where('active', true)
            ->latest()
            ->paginate(15);
            
        return view('users.index', compact('users'));
    }
    
    // Store a new user
    public function store(Request $request)
    {
        $validated = $request->validate([
            'name' => 'required|string|max:255',
            'email' => 'required|email|unique:users',
            'password' => 'required|min:8|confirmed',
        ]);
        
        $user = User::create([
            'name' => $validated['name'],
            'email' => $validated['email'],
            'password' => bcrypt($validated['password']),
        ]);
        
        return redirect()
            ->route('users.show', $user)
            ->with('success', 'User created successfully!');
    }
}

What's happening here?

  • β€’Eloquent ORM: Intuitive query builder with relationships and pagination
  • β€’Validation: Built-in request validation with clear, readable rules
  • β€’Security: Automatic password hashing and CSRF protection
  • β€’Flash Messages: Easy session flash data for user feedback

Popular Laravel Packages

Laravel Breeze

Auth

Minimal authentication scaffolding

Laravel Jetstream

Starter Kit

Robust application scaffolding

Laravel Cashier

Payments

Stripe subscription billing

Laravel Horizon

Queues

Queue monitoring dashboard

Laravel Nova

Admin

Beautiful admin panel

Laravel Sanctum

Auth

API token authentication

Latest Laravel Versions

Laravel 11

Latest
  • βœ“Streamlined Structure
  • βœ“Per-Second Rate Limiting
  • βœ“Health Routing
  • βœ“Graceful Encryption Rotation

Laravel 10

LTS
  • βœ“Native Type Declarations
  • βœ“Process Layer
  • βœ“Test Profiling
  • βœ“Improved Validation

Trusted by Companies Worldwide

Laravel powers thousands of applications worldwide, from startups to enterprise companies. These organizations chose Laravel for its elegant syntax, comprehensive features, and vibrant ecosystem.

PfizerBBC9GAGAbout.meLaracastsInvoice NinjaOctober CMSAlisonMyRankLaravel ForgeFathom Analytics

Laravel Ecosystem:

Forge: Server management and deployment platform

Vapor: Serverless deployment platform for Laravel

Nova: Beautiful administration panel for Laravel apps

Getting Started with Laravel

1

Install Laravel

Install Laravel via Composer and create a new project.

composer create-projectlaravel/laravel my-app
2

Configure Environment

Set up your .env file with database and application settings.

cp .env.example .envphp artisan key:generate
3

Start Development

Run migrations and start the development server.

php artisan migratephp artisan serve

Laravel Best Practices

βœ“

Use Eloquent ORM

Leverage Eloquent for database operations instead of raw queries

βœ“

Validate Requests

Always validate user input using Form Requests or validation rules

βœ“

Use Migrations

Version control your database with migrations and seeders

βœ“

Follow PSR Standards

Adhere to PSR coding standards for consistent code style

βœ“

Use Queues

Defer time-consuming tasks to background queues

βœ“

Cache Strategically

Cache queries and views to improve application performance

βœ“

Write Tests

Use PHPUnit and Laravel Dusk for comprehensive testing

βœ“

Use Service Providers

Organize application bootstrapping with service providers