Introduction to PHPOF v1
PHPOF is a framework designed to assist in developing object-oriented PHP applications, especially database-driven ones. PHP is not a fundamentally object oriented language, but it does provide some useful OO facilities. PHPOF is built on real-world experience of developing Web-based applications and attempts to provide a basic framework of useful classes for web developers. The overall aim of this project is to allow the rapid development and deployment of stable, easy-to-maintain applications in PHP, using centralised classes to minimise code repetition and abstract code away from the front-line implementation. In this sense, it shares much in common with PEAR and indeed one possible future aim would be for some, or all, of PHPOF to be incorporated into PEAR, but at present it is essentially a standalone system (and, incidentally, does not at present fully conform to the PEAR coding standards).
Hang on, there are loads of database classes around!
Sure there are, including in PEAR and on phpclasses.org. However,
- PHPOF is about more than just database classes, though these are by far the most important part
- PHPOF does things a bit differently to most DB classes.
Now, it may be that you actually prefer one of the other DB classes around, including in PEAR. If so, no problem. But PHPOF gives you another choice, and I think you'll like it.