#A PHP framework
In order to better understand what a framework is, let’s leave the world of
computer science for a moment and imagine a mountaineering adventure. Developing an
application is very similar to climbing a rock wall: you are at the bottom (you
have an application to be created) and you need to reach the summit (and be pleased
with the achievement of designing an application that works perfectly.)
If no one has ever climbed the wall in question, you will have to get by on your
own: testing routes, occasionally backtracking so that you don’t get stuck in a
corner, driving in pitons, etc. In contrast, if the wall has already been
conquered, those who have gone before you will already have done this trial and
error work, opening up possible paths (the frame) and installing the tools that
will facilitate the climb (your work).
Basically, a framework consists of :
* A toolbox - a set of prefabricated, rapidly integratable software components.
This means that you will have to write less code, with less risk of error. This
also means greater productivity and the ability to devote more time to doing those
things which provide greater added value, such as managing guiding principles, side
effects, etc.
* A methodology – an “assembly diagram” for applications. A structured approach may
seem constraining at first. But in reality it allows developers to work both
efficiently and effectively on the most complex aspects of a task, and the use of
Best Practices guarantees the stability, maintainability and upgradeability of the
applications you develop.
And although it might be obvious, we thought it best to say it anyway – Symfony is
a PHP framework, which means that it permits web applications to be built in PHP !
#A Philosophy
What could be more useful than an application developed by users for their own
needs? This is the story of the genesis of Symfony – born from the imagination of
the web designers at SensioLabs, a web developer in its own right. Symfony was made
available to everyone under an Open Source license. This benefits other developers,
who also have the ability to improve it by adding their own modules. All this was
done in an environment of Best Practices, standardization and interoperability of
applications.
#A Community
And behind Symfony, there are people. A huge and diverse community of developers
all around the world.
Summary
. Symfony is a PHP framework.
. Symfony is a framework, a set of tools and a development methodology.
. Beyond the tools, Symfony is also a Philosophy and a Community.