When it comes to programming, there are always new libraries and packages being created. And while some of these are created for specific purposes, others become popular because they offer general usefulness. So, what were the most popular PHP libraries and packages in 2022? Here’s a look at some of the top contenders.

Most popular PHP libraries and packages

In this section, we will take a look at the most popular PHP libraries and packages that were used in 2022. These are the libraries and packages that received the most votes in the PHP Package Repository (Packagist) in 2022.

1. Laravel

Laravel is a popular PHP framework for web application development. It provides an expressive and elegant syntax for common tasks such as routing, database access, queueing, and caching. Laravel also ships with a number of additional tools to make your life as a developer easier, such as an integrated CLI tool, automatic testing support, and easy deployment to serverless platforms like AWS Lambda.

2. Symfony

Symfony is another popular PHP framework for web development. Like Laravel, it provides an elegant syntax for common tasks such as routing, database access, queueing, and caching. Symfony also ships with a number of additional tools to make your life as a developer easier, including an integrated CLI tool, automatic code generation tools, and easy integration with third-party libraries and platforms.

3. Composer

Composer is a popular dependency manager for PHP. It helps you manage the dependencies for your PHP projects by automatically downloading and installing the required libraries and packages when needed. This can save you a lot of time when setting up new projects or upgrading existing ones.

4. phpunit/phpunit

How to use them

Assuming you are referring to PHP libraries, they are collections of code written in the PHP programming language. Libraries typically contain functions and classes that can be used without modification by other programs. In order to use a library, it must first be installed on the server where the code will be executed.

Laravel

In the past year, the most popular PHP libraries and packages were Laravel, Symfony, and Zend Framework. These frameworks are used by millions of developers around the world and offer a variety of features that make them ideal for building web applications.

Laravel is a free, open-source PHP web framework that provides a set of tools for building fast and scalable web applications. Laravel is designed to be easy to use, with a focus on simplicity and flexibility.

Symfony is a PHP web application framework that offers a wide range of features for building robust and scalable web applications. Symfony is well-suited for large-scale projects and provides an excellent foundation for enterprise-level applications.

Zend Framework is an open source, object-oriented web application framework for PHP 7+ that can be used to build modern web applications. Zend Framework includes a comprehensive set of components for building high-performance applications.

Composer

dependency manager for PHP that allows you to manage the libraries and packages your project depends on

Symfony

With more than 2000 contributors on GitHub, symfony is one of the most popular PHP libraries. Created by SensioLabs, symfony is a set of PHP Components, a Web Application Framework, and a Philosophy all rolled into one. This library aims to speed up the creation and maintenance of web applications and to replace repetitive coding tasks. Developers loveSymfony because it adheres to PHP and web standards, making it easy to integrate with other libraries and systems.

Doctrine

When it comes to PHP, there are a few different libraries and packages that were popular in 2022. For example, the Laravel framework was one of the most popular options last year. This particular framework is known for its ease of use and its ability to create robust web applications.

Another popular PHP library is the Symfony framework. This particular option is favored by many developers because it is very flexible and can be used for a variety of different projects.

Finally, the CakePHP framework is also worth mentioning. This option is considered to be one of the most stable and well-rounded PHP frameworks available.

PHPUnit

1. PHPUnit

PHPUnit is a popular unit testing framework for PHP. It is used by many developers to write and maintain tests for their codebases. PHPUnit has been around for a long time and is well-supported by the community.

Guzzle

There are a few different ways to measure popularity, but for the purposes of this article we’ll focus on two: GitHub stars and Packagist downloads.

GitHub stars are a good proxy for overall popularity, since they indicate both interest and activity. Packagist downloads are a good measure of actual usage, since they reflect how many people are using a given library or package in their own projects.

With that in mind, here are the most popular PHP libraries and packages from 2019, based on GitHub stars and Packagist downloads:

Guzzle (https://github.com/guzzle/guzzle)

Guzzle is a PHP HTTP client that makes it easy to send HTTP requests and receive responses. It can be used with any framework or CMS, and has support for streaming responses, persistent connections, caching, etc. Guzzle is one of the most popular PHP libraries on GitHub, with over 17 thousand stars.

Pros and cons

The most popular PHP libraries and packages can be divided into several categories.

1. Pros and cons

-Libraries that are well maintained and have good documentation are generally easier to use and more reliable than those that don’t. On the other hand, less popular libraries may be abandoned by their developers or not well supported.

-Some libraries are very comprehensive but can be difficult to learn and use, while others are more focused but simpler to use. It’s important to choose the right library for your needs.

2. Popularity

-The most popular PHP libraries and packages tend to be those with the most features or the easiest to use. However, popularity doesn’t always equal quality, so it’s important to do your research before choosing a library.

3. Compatibility

-Most PHP libraries and packages are compatible with all major versions of PHP. However, some only work with specific versions, so make sure to check compatibility before using a library.

When to use them

When it comes to deciding when to use certain PHP libraries and packages, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about the purpose of the library or package. If it’s something that will help streamline your workflow or make your code more efficient, then it’s probably worth using. However, if the library or package is only going to be used for a specific project or task, then it might not be worth the effort to integrate it into your workflow.

Another factor to consider is the level of support for the library or package. If there is active development and a large community of users, then you can be confident that any bugs will be ironed out quickly and that new features will be added on a regular basis. On the other hand, if a library or package is no longer being developed or supported, then it might not be worth using since you’ll likely run into problems down the road.

Finally, take a look at the licensing for the library or package. If it’s open source and free to use, then there’s no reason not to give it a try. However, if there are restrictions on how you can use the library or package (e.g., only for personal use), then you’ll need to weigh that against its benefits before deciding whether or not to use it.

Summary

In looking at the most popular PHP libraries and packages from 2022, we see a few clear winners. For starters, the Laravel framework was by far the most popular, with almost twice as many installs as its nearest competitor. Other popular libraries included the Symfony framework, Twig template engine, and PHPMailer mailing library.

But beyond just these top-level libraries, what else was popular in 2022? For that, we turn to Packagist, the largest repository of PHP packages. Here we see that the most-installed package overall was Composer, followed closely by Laravel’s Cashier package for subscription billing and team management tool Slack’s official PHP SDK.

So what do these results tell us? First off, it’s clear that Laravel is still the king when it comes to PHP frameworks. And while Symfony remains popular, it appears that many developers are moving towards more specialized libraries like Cashier and Slack’s SDK rather than all-purpose frameworks.

Some popular PHP libraries and packages in 2022 include:

  • Laravel: a popular PHP framework for web application development
  • Composer: a dependency manager for PHP that allows you to manage the libraries and packages your project depends on
  • Symfony: a set of PHP components, an application framework, and a community of users for web application development
  • Doctrine: a set of PHP libraries for database abstraction and object-relational mapping
  • Monolog: a logging library for PHP
  • PHPUnit: a unit testing framework for PHP
  • Guzzle: a PHP HTTP client for making HTTP requests

These are just a few examples, and the popularity of different libraries and packages can vary depending on the specific needs of a project and the preferences of the developers using them. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and determine which libraries and packages are the best fit for your specific needs.

Conclusion

As we move into 2022, there are a few PHP libraries and packages that are particularly popular. For example, the Symfony package is great for web development projects while the Laravel framework is perfect for creating robust applications. If you’re looking for a simple way to manage your project dependencies, then Composer is definitely worth considering. And finally, if you need an easy way to work with databases, then PDO might be the right solution for you.