Course Description
Step into the world of rapid application development with CakePHP, a modern PHP framework that provides a complete 'batteries-included' toolkit for developers. This course teaches you how to leverage CakePHP's powerful conventions and code generation tools to build sophisticated web applications with minimal setup and configuration.
We will guide you through every aspect of the framework, starting with the core principles of MVC and CakePHP's powerful ORM, including database migrations for schema management. You will master database interactions, learning how to define relationships, query data, and validate it with ease. A core focus is the 'Bake' console, a powerful tool that scaffolds your application's code, saving you countless hours of development time.
The curriculum covers advanced topics such as the robust Authentication and Authorization system, the Events manager, Middleware, Caching, Emailing, Error Handling & Logging, and building RESTful APIs. You'll learn how to write testable code and use CakePHP's integrated testing tools to ensure your application is reliable and robust. By the end, you'll be capable of developing and deploying real-world CakePHP applications.
What You'll Learn:
- Understanding CakePHP's Convention over Configuration philosophy and MVC structure.
- Setting up a CakePHP project and using its command-line tools.
- Mastering Database ORM (Table & Entity Objects), Query Builder, and defining complex associations.
- Managing database schema changes with Migrations and populating data with Fixtures/Seeders.
- Rapid scaffolding of application code with the 'Bake' console.
- Building secure applications with the Authentication and Authorization components.
- Creating dynamic views with CakePHP's Templating Engine and powerful Helpers.
- Implementing robust form handling and Data Validation.
- Understanding Middleware and Advanced Routing techniques.
- Utilizing the Events system, Caching, and Emailing features.
- Building, securing, and testing RESTful APIs.
- Effective Error Handling & Logging.
- Writing automated tests for Models, Controllers, and Components.
- Deploying and maintaining a CakePHP application, including debugging and optimization.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is for PHP developers who want to maximize their productivity and build web applications quickly using a structured framework. If you appreciate clear guidelines and powerful tools out-of-the-box, CakePHP is for you. It's ideal for intermediate PHP developers looking to expand their framework knowledge and build production-ready applications.
Prerequisites:
- Solid PHP Fundamentals: A strong understanding of PHP syntax, variables, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and basic OOP (classes, objects) is essential.
- Basic MySQL/Database Knowledge: Familiarity with basic SQL queries (CRUD) and database concepts.
- Basic HTML & CSS: Understanding of web page structure and styling.
- Command Line Basics: Comfort with basic terminal commands (e.g., navigating directories, running composer).
- A Computer/Laptop: A working computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with an internet connection.
- A Willingness to Learn: Enthusiasm for building modern web applications.
Includes in-depth project work, practical labs, and a certificate of completion. Available in English and Hindi.
1. CakePHP Philosophy: Convention over Configuration
20min
2. Installation via Composer & Initial Setup
25min
3. Understanding the Directory Structure & MVC Pattern in CakePHP
25min
4. The Request & Response Cycle in CakePHP
20min
5. Introduction to `bin/cake` Console Commands
20min
6. Recap & Practical Task: Setup a New CakePHP Project and Explore its Basics
40min
7. Database Configuration and Connection
20min
8. Introduction to Migrations: Managing Database Schema Changes
30min
9. Creating and Running Migrations (`bin/cake migrations`)
35min
10. Rollbacks and Seeding Data with Fixtures/Seeders
30min
11. Recap & Practical Task: Implement Migrations and Seeders for a Blog Database
1hr
12. Introduction to the ORM (Object-Relational Mapper)
25min
13. Table Objects: Interacting with Database Tables
30min
14. Entity Objects: Representing Database Rows
25min
15. Retrieving Data with the Query Builder (Basic `find()`, `get()`)
35min
16. Saving and Deleting Data (CRUD Operations)
30min
17. Recap & Practical Task: Build Basic CRUD for a 'Products' Table
1hr
18. Defining Associations: `hasMany`, `belongsTo`, `hasOne`, `belongsToMany`
35min
19. Retrieving Associated Data (`contain()`, `matching()`)
30min
20. Saving Associated Data (Complex Saves)
30min
21. Recap & Practical Task: Implement Relationships (e.g., Users & Posts)
1hr
22. Controller Actions and Parameters
25min
23. The Request Object: Accessing Input Data
30min
24. The Response Object: Sending Different Response Types
25min
25. Setting View Variables and Rendering Views
20min
26. Using Components for Reusable Controller Logic
30min
27. Creating Custom Components
25min
28. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Form Submission Controller with Component Integration
1hr
29. CakePHP's Templating Engine: Basic Syntax
20min
30. Creating Reusable Template Elements and Layouts
30min
31. Built-in Helpers: `HtmlHelper`, `FormHelper`, `NumberHelper`, `TextHelper`
40min
32. Creating Custom Helpers
25min
33. Using View Cells for Complex Widget Logic
25min
34. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Dynamic Navigation Menu and a Custom Form Element
1hr
35. Introduction to CakePHP's Bake Console: Speeding Up Development
20min
36. Baking Models, Tables, and Entities
30min
37. Baking Controllers and Views for a Resource
30min
38. Baking an Entire MVC Application (Rapid Scaffolding)
40min
39. Customizing Bake Templates
25min
40. Recap & Practical Task: Rapidly Generate CRUD for a New Feature
1hr 15min
41. Introduction to CakePHP's Authentication Component
30min
42. Setting Up Basic User Login and Logout
35min
43. Password Hashing and Secure User Management
25min
44. Introduction to Authorization: Controlling Access
25min
45. Using the Authorization Plugin for Access Control Lists (ACL)
35min
46. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Implementation
30min
47. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple User Login System with Role-Based Access
1hr 30min
48. What is Middleware? Intercepting Requests and Responses
25min
49. Applying Middleware: Global, Application-Specific, and Route-Specific
30min
50. Creating Custom Middleware
25min
51. Advanced Routing Techniques: Prefix, Plugin, and Resource Routes
30min
52. Custom Route Classes and URL Generation
25min
53. Recap & Practical Task: Implement Custom Middleware for Logging and Create Advanced Routes
1hr
54. Form Helper (Revisited for Advanced Usage)
20min
55. Data Validation: Built-in Validation Rules
30min
56. Creating Custom Validation Rules
25min
57. Validating Entity Data and Form Errors
25min
58. Security Tokens (CSRF) in Forms
20min
59. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Complex Form with Custom Validation
1hr
60. Introduction to Caching in CakePHP
20min
61. Implementing View Caching and Query Caching
25min
62. Sending Emails with CakePHP's Mailer
30min
63. Customizing Email Templates and Attachments
25min
64. The Events System: Dispatching and Listening to Events
30min
65. Recap & Practical Task: Implement Email Notifications for User Actions and Cache a Dynamic Page
1hr 15min
66. Setting up an API in CakePHP
25min
67. Creating API Controllers and Resource Handling
30min
68. Automatic JSON/XML View Rendering
25min
69. API Authentication Strategies (e.g., Token-based)
30min
70. Handling API Errors and Response Codes
20min
71. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple API for a Blog Resource
1hr
72. Introduction to Testing in CakePHP with PHPUnit
20min
73. Using Fixtures for Reliable Test Data
25min
74. Testing Models and Table Classes
30min
75. Testing Controllers and Integration Tests
40min
76. Debugging Techniques in CakePHP (`debug()`, DebugKit)
30min
77. Error Handling and Logging in CakePHP
25min
78. Recap & Practical Task: Write Tests for a Key Application Feature
1hr 15min
79. Project Overview: Planning Features and Database Schema
45min
80. Scaffolding the Project with Bake Console
30min
81. Building Custom Logic, Associations, and Validations
1hr 30min
82. Implementing Authentication and Authorization
1hr
83. Adding Advanced Features (e.g., Caching, Emails)
1hr
84. Final Review and Project Submission
45min
85. Recap & Course Conclusion
40min
86. Configuration for Production Environment
25min
87. Optimizing CakePHP Application for Performance
30min
88. Deploying a CakePHP Application to a Web Server
35min
89. Maintaining and Updating CakePHP Applications
20min
90. Recap & Course Summary
30min
