Clientigent

Why to use PHP for BE programming

Reasons to use PHP ecosystem

Advantages of PHP programming language and why we use it as a main server-side platform for our products.

  • Client: Clientigent
  • Date: September 2021
  • Style: Hand-drawn

Main ideas

Why Clientigent uses PHP with the Symfony framework for backend programming.

  1. A simple solution which supports workflows (e.g. in Java it is much more complex and requires a bigger team).
  2. Symfony framework and its components form a complex solution: from HTTP communication (request/response) to routing, logging, access control, work with the file system (finder), workflows, events (event dispatcher), message bus for communication between processes and databases (Doctrine).
  3. Workflows (state machines).
  4. Suitable for smaller teams, it is easy and cheaper to build a team able to work with it.

Script

The theme is a small crew of builders vs. a big construction company building a carport.

  1. The client stands next to his house and wants a garage
  2. The client discusses a workflow diagram (a pile of sand, cement and a bucket of water → a concrete mixer + bricks → a row of bricks (loop) + a roof → the result)
  3. Big machines arrive (a crane, a truck mixer, an excavator), they almost demolish the house and lots of workers trample the flowers, $$$
  4. The client does not like it, the big machines leave and a small machine arrives
  5. A multifunctional machine for a small crew of builders (Symfony): a blade in front, a small crane, a box with sand, a small mixer, with labels request/response, event dispatcher, message bus, logging, access control, workflows, Doctrine
  6. A few builders come to the machine with the guy (in helmets), above the guy $$$ ⇨ $

At the end: PHP + Symfony framework – easy to start, simple and cheap to use, powerful tool set, wide range of components, supports workflows.

Storyboard

Storyboard