Do I need a framework to build a REST API in PHP?

php api rest frameworks
Progger picture Progger · Jun 29, 2012 · Viewed 72.7k times · Source

I am fairly new to PHP (about 8 months). I am building a web app, which is almost ready for beta. I am only now starting to think about what I would need to do to make a mobile version of the app.

As I understand, I should be building a REST API (please correct me if I'm wrong). I am currently NOT using a PHP framework for my web app. Should I be?

Should I now begin using a framework so that I could more easily implement my API? Or can I build my API without any framework at all?

Answer

napolux picture napolux · Jun 29, 2012

SHORT ANSWER No, you don't need a framework to achieve your goal.

BUT it will be really easier if you use a framework to manage your API. I suggest you to go for a lightweight framework and maybe you can convert easily your webapp to the framework too, having one "app" to return two different "things" (web stuff & API).

Take a look at Laravel, Laravel 4 based REST API or a list of popular php rest api frameworks that can be used to build one.

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