CakePHP and CodeIgniter are PHP frameworks that are often used in the similar parlance and easily interchangeable. It is never easy to pick the best out of two similar frameworks like CakePHP and CodeIgniter that provide the developer facilities and challenges in equal measure. An in-depth comparison between the two on different criteria can help one understand the strengths and weaknesses of each of the two frameworks and thereby take an informed decision.
CakePHP and CodeIgniter are PHP frameworks that are quite similar to each other resulting in comparisons and each having separate fan clubs. Both the frameworks attempt to create MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture and use routing methods. Let’s compare the two frameworks on top 10 features and understand why a developer would prefer one over the other.
Simplicity
CodeIgniter is considered as best in regards to its approach to simplicity. The web development when done using CodeIgniter framework, loading is done in libraries, work is done in the controller and pulling in the view. Nothing is hidden and one can see how things get done in CodeIgniter.
Leveraging CakePHP, the coding becomes quicker, but to know more, the developer has to go into the core. Otherwise, understanding how the things work is a bit daunting.
Components
In the CodeIgniter, developers have to create or identify the right plug-in or tools, despite having numerous classes like FTP class. On the other hand, CakePHP has Auth component at the core.
Object-relational mapping
As earlier said CakePHP follows ORM technique wherein object relational mapping programming that turns the data of different type systems in the database. CodeIgniter does not come with ORM, so for the conversion, developers have to rely on the third parties.
Scaffolding
Both the frameworks are loaded with the scaffolding feature, but it works differently with both the framework. CakePHP scaffolding enables the developers to define the way objects are linked to each other and can create or break the links. Also, developers can define and build an application, which can create, update, retrieve and delete the objects.
CodeIgniter scaffolding yields the quickest way to add, modify or remove the information from the database during web development.
Code generation
In the CodeIgniter, no basic ingredients to generate the code lies as it won’t have any code generation from the console. Sadly, developers have to find the plug-in.
CakePHP is endowed with Bake console that eases the creation of models, controllers, and views. Due to which building a full-fledged application becomes a work of a few minutes.
MVC
Although both the frameworks are MVC architecture based, but in CodeIgniter, the model association is absent and developers are allowed to build the project even without using MVC model that turns the code unsecured and messy because anyone can place the query without filtering.
In CakePHP, the project cannot be built without model, so the query to get value from a table with any field is very simple.
Console
CakePHP has this feature, which works great when the team of developers is working remotely for web development. The console allows developers to upgrade the DB schema or generate the code, so other users are not allowed to handle the DB straightly. Instead, CodeIgniter doesn’t have the console.
Layout
CakePHP leverages the default layout where implementing the header, footer or sidebar is easier. While CodeIgniter create the view or layout with the direct approach, which appears like the app was built from the ground up. Plus, CodeIgniter also provides a caching mechanism for the view that makes the work easier.
Validation
Using MVC model means data validation is the must. In CodeIgniter, the set of rules is defined and allocated to the validation objects, which validates the every data passes in the form of URL or web form. Validation class also automate the validation process by displaying the fixed error messages.
In CakePHP, the single test for every field’s variable is validated and then declared. For the simple application it’s good, but for complex stuff, it becomes cumbersome.
Function calling- auto or not?
There are a few functions available in the CakePHP, which are automatically called, no matter how many times the page is refreshed. These functions are auto-executed when they are pre-defined by the developers. In the CodeIgniter, no such auto-function exists.
CakePHP and CodeIgniter are PHP frameworks that are quite similar to each other resulting in comparisons and each having separate fan clubs. Both the frameworks attempt to create MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture and use routing methods. Let’s compare the two frameworks on top 10 features and understand why a developer would prefer one over the other.
Simplicity
CodeIgniter is considered as best in regards to its approach to simplicity. The web development when done using CodeIgniter framework, loading is done in libraries, work is done in the controller and pulling in the view. Nothing is hidden and one can see how things get done in CodeIgniter.
Leveraging CakePHP, the coding becomes quicker, but to know more, the developer has to go into the core. Otherwise, understanding how the things work is a bit daunting.
Components
In the CodeIgniter, developers have to create or identify the right plug-in or tools, despite having numerous classes like FTP class. On the other hand, CakePHP has Auth component at the core.
Object-relational mapping
As earlier said CakePHP follows ORM technique wherein object relational mapping programming that turns the data of different type systems in the database. CodeIgniter does not come with ORM, so for the conversion, developers have to rely on the third parties.
Scaffolding
Both the frameworks are loaded with the scaffolding feature, but it works differently with both the framework. CakePHP scaffolding enables the developers to define the way objects are linked to each other and can create or break the links. Also, developers can define and build an application, which can create, update, retrieve and delete the objects.
CodeIgniter scaffolding yields the quickest way to add, modify or remove the information from the database during web development.
Code generation
In the CodeIgniter, no basic ingredients to generate the code lies as it won’t have any code generation from the console. Sadly, developers have to find the plug-in.
CakePHP is endowed with Bake console that eases the creation of models, controllers, and views. Due to which building a full-fledged application becomes a work of a few minutes.
MVC
Although both the frameworks are MVC architecture based, but in CodeIgniter, the model association is absent and developers are allowed to build the project even without using MVC model that turns the code unsecured and messy because anyone can place the query without filtering.
In CakePHP, the project cannot be built without model, so the query to get value from a table with any field is very simple.
Console
CakePHP has this feature, which works great when the team of developers is working remotely for web development. The console allows developers to upgrade the DB schema or generate the code, so other users are not allowed to handle the DB straightly. Instead, CodeIgniter doesn’t have the console.
Layout
CakePHP leverages the default layout where implementing the header, footer or sidebar is easier. While CodeIgniter create the view or layout with the direct approach, which appears like the app was built from the ground up. Plus, CodeIgniter also provides a caching mechanism for the view that makes the work easier.
Validation
Using MVC model means data validation is the must. In CodeIgniter, the set of rules is defined and allocated to the validation objects, which validates the every data passes in the form of URL or web form. Validation class also automate the validation process by displaying the fixed error messages.
In CakePHP, the single test for every field’s variable is validated and then declared. For the simple application it’s good, but for complex stuff, it becomes cumbersome.
Function calling- auto or not?
There are a few functions available in the CakePHP, which are automatically called, no matter how many times the page is refreshed. These functions are auto-executed when they are pre-defined by the developers. In the CodeIgniter, no such auto-function exists.