Welcome, to this comprehensive guide on installing Laravel projects! I understand the importance of a seamless setup process for new projects. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to quickly get up and running with Laravel, the popular PHP framework. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Prerequisites
Before we start, ensure that your development environment meets the following prerequisites:
- PHP: Install PHP (minimum version 7.4) and the required extensions (e.g., OpenSSL, PDO, Mbstring, Tokenizer, XML, Ctype, JSON).
- Composer: Install Composer, a dependency manager for PHP, from getcomposer.org.
Step 2: Download Laravel
To begin, download Laravel using Composer. Open your command line interface and run the following command:
composer global require laravel/installer
This command will install the Laravel installer globally on your system, allowing you to create new Laravel projects from anywhere.
Step 3: Create a New Laravel Project
Once Laravel is installed, navigate to the directory where you want to create your project and execute the following command:
laravel new project-name
Replace “project-name” with the desired name for your project. Laravel will create a new directory with this name and install the necessary files and dependencies.
Step 4: Serve the Application
Now that your project is created, navigate to its root directory and use the following command to start the development server:
php artisan serve
This command will start a local development server at http://localhost:8000, allowing you to view and test your Laravel application.
Step 5: Configuration
Laravel provides a convenient way to manage environment-specific configuration variables. Copy the “.env.example” file in your project’s root directory and rename it to “.env”. Update the necessary configuration options such as database credentials, application URL, and other settings specific to your project.
Step 6: Migrate and Seed the Database
If your project requires a database, Laravel’s migration feature helps you manage the database structure. Run the following command to migrate the predefined database tables:
php artisan migrate
To populate the database with sample data, use the following command:
Make sure you have the necessary configuration in the “database/seeds” directory.
php artisan db:seedStep 7: Explore the Project Structure
Familiarize yourself with the project’s structure and key directories, such as “app” (contains application logic), “routes” (handles application routes), “resources” (stores assets like CSS, JavaScript, and views), and “tests” (for writing automated tests). Understanding the project’s structure will enable you to navigate and work with the codebase efficiently.
You have successfully installed a Laravel project and are ready to embark on your development journey. Remember to communicate with your team and utilize Laravel’s extensive documentation and the supportive Laravel community whenever you encounter challenges. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve taken a significant stride towards building robust and scalable Laravel applications.
Happy coding!