How to increase Zend Framework learning speed?

Question

A preamble: I've been using PHP for over 8 year every now and then, but never used a framework, only wrote scripts and addons. Mostly I used code generators like CodeCharge Studio or custom code for intranet apps. Since I am ok with design patterns, Zend framework doesn't look too hard for me to learn.

Starting with ZF: I've a read the QuickStart manual and wonder what can advance me to being fast with basic Zend web app development. As I understand there are repetitious tasks that take a lot of time.

Questions: For instance, for almost every site I develop there must be User Registration process and I don't want to reinvent the wheel and spend a week for Login/Profile forms.

1) Do you, Zend developers, use some kind of prototypes you've written to roll out a basic site quickly?

2) Or are there some site source codes to be built upon already available?

3) Is there some app generator or minor tool for pages with grids, records etc?

P.S. I stopped learning EJB over 6 years ago because I didn't have anyone to ask similar questions. TIA!

Answer 1

For a jump-start you can read the "Learn ZF2" book. It is written with the help of core Zend Framework 2 (ZF2) team members and ZF2 course creators and is probably the best match for getting good insight about Zend Framework 2 and its features. The books is accompanied by source code and it leads you step by step through the different concepts. Interesting read that gets better with every page.

Answer 2

If you're already acquainted with MVC and design patterns, then why not look into tools to helps you code faster?

Although I generally like free tools, I must say using Zend Studio IDE (based on Eclipse) helps going faster (30-day free trial).

The main points (apart from the debugger/profiler):

• it can generate a skeleton for MVC applications
• default code skeletons for basic bricks (controllers, views, models)

and -last but not least-

• auto-completion for all Zend classes (and you can Ctrl+click through the classes names to open them). Very convenient I must say.

Just make sure to have a computer with a whole lot of memory!

Answer 3

• for basic site, just follow the QuickStart;
• more advanced stuff, e.g. on http://devzone.zend.com/ or http://www.zftutorials.com/

Using framework means, that you're not going to have to do all of that tedious repetitive stuff.

Answer 4

We have a tool that can help: nWire for PHP analyzes your code, helps you navigate through it and visually represents components and associations. You will eventually need to read the code and with nWire this becomes much easier.

Answer 5

Akra's DevNotes has a great tutorial that creates a sample application:

http://akrabat.com/zend-framework-tutorial/

This is where I started working with the ZF.

Answer 6

I'm in your exact situation right now (just less years with php :P)

Currently i'm using Zend FrameWork in action as reference and for what i've seen till now it's pretty easy to reuse your structure from old jobs. Once you've setted up your preferred options and tree structure you can reuse it over and over.

So I think that it's better not rely to third party generators and create your own skeleton. In this mode you will be much more comfortable with the code structure, and you'll have better code's grasp.