The web developers can execute PHP code in a number of ways. They can embed PHP code into HTML code seamlessly. Likewise, they can combine PHP code with a number of web frameworks. But most programmers prefer combining PHP code with popular web frameworks for custom web applications development rapidly without writing additional code. The web frameworks even make it easier for users to accomplish common web development frameworks. At present, CodeIgniter is one of the one of the widely used PHP frameworks.
Despite being a lightweight web framework, CodeIgniter makes it easier for PHP programmers to write custom web applications by providing an elegant toolkit. As an open source framework, it helps users to curtail web application development cost. CodeIgniter has been evolving consistently to meet the emerging web application development trends. In November, CodeIgniter 3.1.6 came with updated memcached and redis sessions drivers and a number of bug fixes. PHP developers should analyze the pros and cons of CodeIgniter framework to use it efficiently.
Understanding Important Pros and Cons of CodeIgniter Framework
Pros
Ease of Use
One of the key benefits of CodeIgniter is its simplicity and ease of use. The framework adopts a “convention over configuration” approach, minimizing the need for complex setup and configuration. This allows developers to focus on the application logic rather than spending time on boilerplate code.
With CodeIgniter, developers can quickly set up a project and start building their applications without getting bogged down in unnecessary configuration files. The framework provides a clear and intuitive structure, making it easy to navigate and understand. This simplicity not only saves time but also makes it easier for new developers to learn and contribute to existing CodeIgniter projects.
Flexible and Customizable
CodeIgniter provides a high degree of flexibility and customizability. The framework allows developers to load only the components and libraries they need for a particular project, resulting in a lightweight and efficient application. By selectively loading libraries and components, developers can optimize their application’s performance and reduce unnecessary overhead. This flexibility also enables developers to choose the best tools and libraries for their specific project requirements, rather than being limited to a predefined set of options.
In addition to its built-in features, CodeIgniter supports the use of third-party libraries and plugins. This enables developers to extend the functionality of the framework and leverage existing solutions for common tasks. Whether it’s integrating with popular payment gateways, implementing advanced caching mechanisms, or adding support for new file formats, CodeIgniter’s extensibility allows developers to tailor their applications to their exact needs.
Offers Modern Separation Concept
Unlike other PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter does not force PHP programmers to implement model-view-controller (MVC) patterns. But it still encourages developers to speed up the development of large and complex web applications by implementing MVC in a different way. The modern separation concept offered by CodeIgniter helps programmers to use models for data, libraries, and controllers for control, and views for HTML.
Supports both Web Page and Database Caching
In addition to being faster than other PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter further helps programmers to speed up web applications by implementing both page and database caching. It reduces server load by allowing developers to cache web pages in their fully rendered state. The web developers even have option to enable caching on a per-page basis and set the duration for the cache. At the same time, the programmers can reduce database load by caching database queries as simple text files through the Database Caching Class.
Comes with Built-in Security Features
CodeIgniter prioritizes security and provides built-in features to safeguard applications against common vulnerabilities. It offers protection against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks, and SQL injections. By following the framework’s security guidelines and best practices, developers can mitigate many common security risks without having to reinvent the wheel. CodeIgniter’s security features are designed to be easy to implement and provide a solid foundation for building secure web applications.
Additionally, CodeIgniter encourages developers to follow secure coding practices and provides guidance on topics such as input validation, data sanitization, and password hashing. By adhering to these recommendations, developers can further enhance the security of their CodeIgniter applications and protect sensitive user data.
Excellent Documentation
One aspect that stands out about CodeIgniter is its comprehensive documentation. The official CodeIgniter user guide is well-written and covers all aspects of the framework in detail. The documentation not only explains the core concepts and features of CodeIgniter but also provides practical examples and best practices. This makes it easier for developers to understand and utilize the framework’s features effectively. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, the documentation serves as an invaluable resource for learning, troubleshooting, and staying up to date with the latest changes in the framework.
Furthermore, CodeIgniter has a vibrant and active community that contributes to its documentation. This means that you can often find additional tutorials, guides, and code samples from other developers who have encountered similar challenges. This collaborative approach to documentation ensures that developers have access to a wealth of knowledge and support when working with CodeIgniter.
Cons
Does not emphasize code maintainability
Nowadays, enterprises require programmers to write clean, readable, and structured code. The high-quality code makes it easier for enterprises to maintain, modify, and update web applications quickly in the future. Unlike other modern PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter does not support the modular separation of code by default. Hence, programmers have to put extra time and effort to maintain or update the code.
Lack of Modern Features
There are a relatively limited set of modern features compared to newer frameworks. While it continues to receive updates, it may not have the latest features and enhancements found in frameworks like Laravel or Symfony. For projects that require cutting-edge features, developers may need to consider alternative frameworks.
Limited Built-in Libraries
The number of built-in libraries compared to other frameworks is on the lower side. While it covers common tasks, developers may need to rely more on third-party libraries to handle specific requirements. However, the CodeIgniter community has developed a wide range of third-party libraries that can fill these gaps.
On the whole, CodeIgniter is a lightweight web framework. It lacks some of the robust features provided by modern PHP frameworks like Laravel. PHP developers should do a Laravel vs CodeIgniter comparison before selecting the right framework. But the PHP programmers still opt for CodeIgniter to simplify the development of small and medium web applications. It is always important for PHP programmers to keep in mind the precise needs of each project while assessing the pros and cons of CodeIgniter.