As a PHP coder, I’ve been giving some thought about using PHP frameworks. Frameworks are meant to help speed up the process of create PHP applications by tapping into the framework’s libraries. Now, of course it will not seem that way if you are just starting out but once you get the hang of the framework, you will see the difference. However, is it better than the old standard hand coding method?

I stared to look into the different frameworks a few days ago and couldn’t bring myself to waste time learning one. “Why,” you ask. Well, first I know that it does not make me extendable because more and more PHP jobs are requiring the developer to know and use some sort of framework. However, I am old fashion, and I believe in extending and improving my skills by hand coding a project.

Now, I won’t say that I don’t rely on some kind of framework because I do. It is my own framework that I’ve developed from working on previous projects. I feel as though I would be cheating my clients if I rely on those other frameworks because I can’t know those frameworks as well as I can know my own. As long as I follow a documentation standard, any developer who may take over the project should be able to pick it up with ease.

Again, I am not against frameworks nor do I judge those who rely on frameworks. I rely on my own framework because it works for me. I’ve spent lots of time on making it secure as possible; and since its my own baby, I know it like I know the back of my hand.