Zend Framework is an open-source software framework for PHP5. It has a flexible architecture that lets you build interactive web applications and web services effortlessly. One of its strengths is the highly modular Model-View-Controller design, which makes the code more reusable and easier to maintain and lets you focus on the big picture. 

Model-view-controller is an architectural pattern used in software engineering. Complex computer applications present a large amount of data to the user. A developer often wishes to separate data (model) and user interface (view) concerns. This enables him to make changes to the user interface without affecting data handling, and reorganize data without changing the user interface. MVC solves this problem by introducing an intermediate component: the controller. The controller decouples data access and business logic from data presentation and user interaction.

Zend Framework has further enhanced PHP and improved its candidature for use within an enterprise environment. It aims to:

  • Provide a repository of high quality components that are actively supported.
  • Provide a complete system for developing web applications powered by PHP5.
  • Don’t change the PHP – it’s already a great platform.
  • Embrace collaboration and community to further advanced PHP5 programming.
  • Positively contribute to the PHP 5 ecosystem and the PHP collaboration project.

Advantages of Zend Framework include:

§       MVC application framework – Zend Framework’s model-view-controller architecture provides an industry best practice for Web application development. It enables the separation of business logic from user interface design.

§       Database support- Access multiple brands of RDBMS via a database-independent object-oriented interface. Databases supported include IBM DB2, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL and SQLite.

§       Internationalization – Zend Framework supports advanced yet simple solutions to develop PHP 5 Web applications for a global audience.

§       Web services – Use classes to publish and consume Web services and feeds in PHP.

§       Foundation Framework services – Zend Framework provides many other classes to make common application development tasks quick and easy. For example, solutions for email, sessions, authentication, logging, caching, filtering input, and others are included.

Built in the true PHP spirit, the Zend Framework delivers ease-of-use and powerful functionality. It implements best practices in connecting the application to databases and networks. And so, it frees the developer to concentrate on user interactions and the business logic behind them.

All in all, Zend Framework provides much required “face-lift” to PHP and facilitates powerful solutions for building modern, robust, and secure websites.