Zend: The Reliable PHP Framework to Build Robust Websites

This article focusses on the elements which, make Zend a reliable framework for the web developers and the key modifications and new features being instigated on this framework with the latest release Zend 3.0.0.

Are you willing to decide on which platform to deploy while developing a website? Well, while considering the varied options, Zend comes with all the high-end features which, make them an ideal PHP framework. Considering the recent times, release of the long-anticipated Zend 3.0, the most significant release within these 4 years.

Before stating the whereabouts of this platform, lets emphasize on the core fundamentals of this platform which, would help you to comprehend the reason behind its growing popularity.

• Object-oriented Goodness
• Wide variety of components, thereby catering varied requirements.
• No need of model implementation and thus, you can choose your own architecture.
• Seamless integration
• Standards and guidelines
• Community and Extensive Documentation

With the release of the latest version, many users have been wondering that what impact will it make on the existing projects, projects in the planning stage and projects in active development. Well, here’s the story unraveled.

What’s new in Zend 3.0.0

It includes:

• PHP 7 support
• Increased performance: up to 4 times faster applications under the PHP 5 framework and more refined while using PHP 7.
• Enhanced documentation for all the components repository.
• An expressive PSR-7 middleware micro framework which, focuses on interoperability and simplicity.

This platform needs to deploy PHP 5.6 or the more latest versions. Well, it’s no longer recommended for installing this framework directly. It’s a metapackage which, aggregates all the elements originally despatched along with the Zend framework. While considering most of the cases, you will require a subset and can be installed separately.

The Zend framework from v2-v3 is being intended as one incremental upgrade. The core functional team have already made efforts last year for providing the forward compatibility features in v2 versions of elements, thereby allowing the users to develop their code for upgrade.

Comparison of ZF3 with ZF1 and ZF2 transition

If, you are having any such experience with the entire transition from the Zend Framework 1 to Zend Framework 2 on the project, you might be pretty wary with that of the ZF2-ZF3 transition. There was no such clean migration path from ZF1-ZF2 as because, the significant architecture revisions made in both these versions are quite incompatible. As a promising benefit, the break of major backward compatibility was quite an investment which, is still paying dividends with release of this latest version.  

What are the considerations for upcoming projects

If, you are about to unambiguously start any new project, you must deploy ZF3. there is no such reason left behind for sticking out with ZF2 to cover anything new. The skillset the developers will acquire while writing ZF2 applications are applicable directly. Moreover, there is an elemental learning curve for a skilled ZF2 to learn ZF3 easily.

A series of advancements have been encountered by the domain of PHP frameworks within the recent years. But, choosing Zend will aid to seamless integration of all the varied business operations, thereby increasing the level of synchronization and flexibility.  Thus, if, your are about to hire a professional for developing your business website flawlessly, then seek technical expertise of a Zend developer will certainly fit your requirements appropriately.

Jonathan Paul is an adept Zend developer who aims to share his knowledge, views and experiences with readers regarding the nuts and bolts of web development.