Learn FUELPHP with Real Code Examples

FuelPHP uses HMVC, an extension of MVC, allowing for nested controllers and modular applications.

It is designed to be lightweight yet powerful, with built-in security features and flexible configuration.

Provides a rich set of libraries, helpers, and packages for database access, authentication, caching, and more.

FuelPHP emphasizes convention over configuration but allows developers to override defaults easily.

Supports RESTful API development, ORM (via its ActiveRecord-like ORM), and package-based modular development.

HMVC pattern - nested controllers and modularity

ORM - ActiveRecord-style object-relational mapping

Auth package - flexible authentication and authorization

Caching - multiple drivers including file, Redis, Memcached

REST support - build APIs with built-in helpers

Controller - handles requests and application logic

Model - interacts with database via ORM or query builder

View - renders output (HTML, JSON, XML)

Module - encapsulates features for HMVC structure

Package - reusable library or component

fuel/app/ - application-specific code (controllers, models, views)

fuel/core/ - framework core

fuel/packages/ - third-party or custom packages

fuel/public/ - publicly accessible assets

fuel/app/config/ - configuration files

Define routes in `fuel/app/config/routes.php`

Create controllers for handling logic

Create models for database operations

Build views for presentation or API responses

Integrate modules/packages for reusable features

Beginner: Simple web pages with HMVC controllers

Intermediate: CRUD applications with ORM

Advanced: RESTful API with modular packages

Expert: Large-scale modular HMVC application

Architect: Enterprise system integrating multiple modules and packages

FuelPHP vs Laravel: HMVC modularity vs full-featured MVC

FuelPHP vs Symfony: Lightweight and modular vs enterprise-grade

FuelPHP vs CodeIgniter: HMVC support vs traditional MVC

FuelPHP vs Slim: Modular HMVC vs micro-framework simplicity

FuelPHP vs Yii: Flexibility and packages vs advanced tooling

2010 - FuelPHP initial release

2011–2012 - Core HMVC and modular features stabilized

2013–2015 - ORM, Auth, and package system matured

2016–2018 - Performance and security improvements

2019–2025 - Community-driven maintenance and package updates

Controller - handles requests and logic

Model - interacts with database

View - renders output

Module - nested MVC unit for HMVC

Package - reusable component or library