Install Laravel on Ubuntu: A Complete Guide

Greetings to all web developers out there! If you’re looking to develop a dynamic web application and are considering Laravel as your framework, you’re in the right place. Here, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing Laravel on Ubuntu, one of the most popular open-source operating systems used by developers worldwide.

Why Laravel?

Laravel is a powerful, open-source PHP framework that has become the top-of-the-line choice for web developers. It makes building web applications easier, faster, and more efficient. Laravel provides several features, including a modular structure, elegant syntax, and various built-in tools that make it easier to integrate with other packages. However, before you dive into developing your application with Laravel, you need to install it first. Here’s how:

Installation Steps

Before we begin, let us ensure that your Ubuntu server is up-to-date. Open the terminal and type the following command:

Steps	Commands
1	sudo apt-get update
2	sudo apt-get upgrade

Step 1: Install PHP and its Dependencies

Laravel needs PHP >= 7.2.5 to function. Here’s how to install PHP and its necessary dependencies:

Steps	Commands
1	sudo apt-get install php
2	sudo apt-get install php-zip php-mbstring php-xml php-pdo mysql-server php-mysql

Step 2: Install Composer

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that is essential for Laravel to work. Here’s how to install it:

Steps	Commands
1	cd ~
2	curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer -o composer-setup.php
3	sudo php composer-setup.php –install-dir=/usr/local/bin –filename=composer
4	composer –version

Step 3: Install Laravel

You’re now ready to install Laravel. Run the following command in the terminal:

Steps	Commands
1	composer create-project –prefer-dist laravel/laravel myapp

Step 4: Configure Laravel

Finally, you need to configure Laravel to work with your server. Perform the following commands:

Steps	Commands
1	cp .env.example .env
2	php artisan key:generate

Advantages and Disadvantages of Laravel

While Laravel is a popular and powerful framework, it’s important to consider its advantages and disadvantages before proceeding:

Advantages

Easy to Learn: Laravel is relatively easy to learn and has a robust community that provides resources and support.

Modular: Laravel provides modular structure, which allows developers to integrate external packages easily.

Built-in Tools: Laravel has many built-in tools such as routing, templating, and authentication, which makes building web applications faster.

Disadvantages

Performance: Laravel’s performance is slower compared to other PHP frameworks, such as CodeIgniter.

Database Structure: Laravel has a specific database schema that may not be compatible with an existing project.

Version Conflicts: Laravel is updated frequently, which can cause conflicts with packages that depend on previous versions.

FAQs

How do I remove Laravel from my Ubuntu server?

To remove Laravel from your Ubuntu server, delete the project directory and the database. Here’s how:

Steps	Commands
1	cd /var/www/html
2	sudo rm -r myapp
3	mysql -u root -p
4	DROP DATABASE myapp;

Is Laravel free?

Yes, Laravel is completely free and open source.

What are the server requirements for Laravel?

Laravel requires at least PHP 7.2.5, OpenSSL PHP Extension, PDO PHP Extension, Mbstring PHP Extension, Tokenizer PHP Extension, and XML PHP Extension.

Can I install Laravel on Windows?

Yes, you can install Laravel on Windows by following the same installation steps as for Ubuntu, using a Windows command prompt instead of a terminal.

Can I use Laravel on shared hosting?

Yes, but it may not be the best option. Shared hosting may not provide the required resources, and you may face compatibility issues and version conflicts.

How do I update Laravel?

To update Laravel, use the following command:

Steps	Commands
1	composer update

What are Laravel routes?

Laravel routes define the URL structure of your application. You can use them to match incoming requests to the corresponding controller method.

How do I create a controller in Laravel?

To create a controller in Laravel, use the following command:

Steps	Commands
1	php artisan make:controller MyController

What is Laravel Mix?

Laravel Mix is a tool that simplifies the process of compiling your assets. You can use it to compile your CSS and JavaScript files, as well as to version and cache them for better performance.

How do I run a Laravel project?

To run a Laravel project, use the following command:

Steps	Commands
1	cd myapp
2	php artisan serve

What is Blade in Laravel?

Blade is Laravel’s templating engine that allows developers to use plain PHP code in their views. Blade simplifies the process of creating and managing views in Laravel.

What is Eloquent ORM in Laravel?

Eloquent ORM is Laravel’s implementation of the Active Record pattern. It provides an easy-to-use interface for working with databases, allowing developers to query the database and manipulate data using simple PHP syntax.

What is Artisan in Laravel?

Artisan is Laravel’s command-line interface that provides a set of commands for common development tasks, such as creating controllers, models, and migrations. It speeds up the development process and makes it easier to manage your Laravel project.

What is a Middleware in Laravel?

Middleware is a piece of code that filters HTTP requests to your application. Laravel’s middleware provides a convenient way to filter incoming requests and perform actions before or after a request is handled by your application.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now have a complete guide on how to install Laravel on Ubuntu. Laravel provides many features that make web development easier and more efficient. However, it’s essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages before choosing Laravel as your framework. We hope this article has been helpful in your journey to becoming a better web developer.

We encourage you to explore the world of Laravel further and experiment with its many tools and features. Happy coding!

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only. The authors do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information displayed in this guide. Any action you take based on the information presented here is at your own risk.

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