Goodbye CakePHP

It’s been a long journey and it has finally come to an end. Due to professional changes in my life, it is time that I stop using a PHP based MVC framework for web applications. Where will I go, you ask? Its simple – Ruby on Rails! While the aim of this post is to not convert people who use CakePHP to start using something else, I do plan on elaborating some of my reasonings for this switch.

1. My New Job
It cannot make much more sense than this. I recently got a new job (started Feb 1st). The place I work is a pure ruby shop and support several financial based web applications. I had 10 days to learn the syntax/basics of Ruby and loved every minute of it. I was ready for something new and fresh in my life.

2. Maturity
Rails was first! As a result, the project has matured more and seems to have a lot more support.

3. Package / Plugin management
Ruby has RubyGems, which is amazing. CakePHP just released something to handle plugins, but I have a feeling it is not a full package manager (think apt!).

4. Other Little Differences
Several small differences make it a better choice. I found a recent presentation that quickly explains a few of them.

That being said, PHP with CakePHP and Ruby with Rails both have their pros and cons. Each framework will always have its place in my heart. Hopefully I will have time soon to setup a rails environment and start pushing through some personal projects! Until then, I will continue gaining experience at work whilst I triage the problems that I was hired to fix

3 Responses to “Goodbye CakePHP”

1. Joe says:

   May 7, 2010 at 3:03 am

   Understand the whole job thing, but completely hanging up cakePHP (or PHP) — you’re making a BAD decision. PHP has a lot more power than Ruby, and is older.
2. Angel S. Moreno says:

   July 5, 2010 at 5:53 pm

   Hey Jess. Just came across your blog. Best of luck at the new job.

   You have good CakePHP articles. It’s sad to see you go. A while back I was going to leave PHP as well to learn Rails. Then I found CakePHP. I know CakePHP will be playing catch up with Rails for a while, but I already know PHP. I looked into RubyGems. It reminds me of the CLI tools Pear offers. Coincidentally, I am working on creating a repository for CakePHP plugins, Cake-ready themes and Cake tools. RubyGems sounds like CakePHP 2.0 stuff. Now where can the CakePHP community find a Rails/CakePHP pro to contribute to the development of such a tool…hhmmm see you back in the CakePHP community soon dude.
3. Angel S. Moreno says:

   July 5, 2010 at 6:10 pm

   Just got a tap on my shoulder as to what CakePHP 2 and CakePHP 3 are. I did not know they even existed (yes, noob got pwned).

   nonetheless, RubyGems features for CakePHP would be delicious.