How to Write Good PHP Code Without Using a Framework

Discover effective strategies for writing clean and maintainable PHP code without a framework. Master essential design concepts for better coding practices.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/194584/ asked by the user 'Thomas Owens' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/572/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/195378/ provided by the user 'Javier' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11649/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Introduction

One of the common challenges developers face is writing clean, efficient code without the help of a framework. Frameworks like Laravel or Symfony offer convenient structures and tools, but when they aren’t an option, how can you maintain high standards in your code? This post explores proven strategies to produce high-quality PHP code without diving into a framework.

Understanding Key Concepts

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to grasp a few foundational concepts:

MVC (Model-View-Controller), OOP (Object-Oriented Programming), and Tiers are design methodologies meant to organize code.

These concepts are not language-specific and can be adapted in PHP to create readable and maintainable code.

Moving Beyond Frameworks

When you choose not to use a framework, here are a few methods to engineer effective PHP applications reminiscent of framework architecture.

Create a General Utilities File

Establish a general utilities file to hold shared functions:

Formatting and Sanitization Functions: Functions that clean and format user input are vital.

Database Access Functions: Abstract common database operations to enhance code reusability.

Key Functions to Include

getquery(): Accepts a SQL statement and returns a result object.

Variants:

getrecord(): Retrieves a single record and automatically closes the query.

getdatum(): Returns a specific field value and closes the query.

Configuration Details: Store all configurations, such as database credentials and URL prefixes, in a config.php file.

Model Layer: Develop a model layer that can either be a single file or separate files for each object you store in the database. This abstracts SQL queries into a higher-level API aligned with your data model rather than raw database records.

Designing the Presentation Layer

After establishing a utility foundation, implement the presentation layer:

Create Individual PHP Files for Each Page:

Begin with straightforward PHP code to fetch the necessary objects.

Follow up with HTML interspersed with PHP code to fill in dynamic content.

Strive for simplicity, keeping complex code confined to loops and short statements.

Data Entry Forms:

Frame each data-entry form to point to a minimal PHP script devoid of HTML. This script should handle POST operations by validating input, entering data into the database, and redirecting back to the originating page.

Final Thoughts on Separation of Concerns

Using these techniques, you can achieve clear intent separation without overwhelming your project with multiple files for single user actions. Each webpage essentially consolidates the code, allowing easy navigation and maintenance.

After some time away from the project, testing and debugging becomes significantly more manageable, as the URL navigation directly ties to specific filenames in your codebase.

Conclusion

Developing PHP applications without a framework doesn’t mean sacrificing code quality or readability. By applying these strategies—building a utility file, creating a robust models layer, and designing an intuitive presentation layer—you can create elegant, well-structured PHP applications that are easy to maintain and expand.

Remember, while frameworks offer exceptional convenience, understanding the fundamentals of good coding practices is invaluable and can elevate your programming skills, equipping you to tackle any project, big or small.

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