Yii2 provides two primary application templates to help developers quickly start building their applications: the Basic Application Template and the Advanced Application Template. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Yii2 using both templates, detailing their differences and how to get started with each template.
Understanding the Templates
Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand the differences between the Basic and Advanced Application Templates in Yii2:
- Basic Application Template: This is a simpler, more lightweight template suitable for small-to-medium-sized applications. It is ideal for single-user applications, blogs, personal projects, or simple websites.
- Advanced Application Template: This template is designed for more complex applications, including large-scale, multi-tier applications. It provides better structure and scalability, making it ideal for applications with multiple environments (e.g., development, staging, production) and applications that require a backend/frontend split.
Installing Yii2 Using the Basic Application Template
The Basic Application Template is perfect for getting started with a Yii2 project quickly and with minimal setup. Follow these steps to install Yii2 using the Basic Application Template:
1. Install Composer
If you haven’t installed Composer yet, you can do so by following the instructions on the official website: getcomposer.org.
2. Create a New Project
Run the following Composer command to create a new Yii2 application using the Basic Application Template:
composer create-project --prefer-dist yiisoft/yii2-app-basic myapp
This will download the Yii2 basic template and set up a new project in the myapp directory.
3. Configure Your Application
Once the installation is complete, navigate to the newly created project directory:
cd myapp
You can now serve the application using the built-in PHP web server:
php yii serve
Your Yii2 application should now be accessible at http://localhost:8080.
Installing Yii2 Using the Advanced Application Template
The Advanced Application Template provides a more robust structure for handling large applications, especially when working with multiple environments. Follow these steps to install Yii2 using the Advanced Application Template:
1. Create a New Project
Run the following Composer command to create a new Yii2 application using the Advanced Application Template:
composer create-project --prefer-dist yiisoft/yii2-app-advanced myapp
This command will create a new Yii2 project in the myapp directory, based on the advanced template.
2. Set Up Environment Configuration
Once the installation is complete, navigate to the application directory:
cd myapp
Now, run the init command to set the application environment. You can choose either the Development or Production environment:
php yii init
This will prompt you to select an environment, and it will configure your project accordingly.
3. Configure Web Server
The advanced template uses multiple environments and separate backend/frontend directories. Configure your web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) to point to the appropriate directories:
- Frontend:
/frontend/web - Backend:
/backend/web
This structure allows for more flexibility in managing the frontend and backend of the application separately, which is useful for larger projects.
4. Serve the Application
To start the Yii2 application using PHP’s built-in server, use the following command:
php yii serve
The application will be available at http://localhost:8080, and you can access the frontend and backend as needed.
Choosing Between Basic and Advanced Templates
Choosing between the Basic and Advanced Application Templates depends on your project’s requirements:
- Use the Basic Template: If you are building a small-to-medium application, such as a blog, personal website, or simple single-user application.
- Use the Advanced Template: If you are working on a large application that requires a more structured setup, such as an application with separate backend and frontend or an application that will be deployed in multiple environments.
Conclusion
Yii2 offers two application templates to suit different project sizes and needs. The Basic Application Template is ideal for simple applications, while the Advanced Application Template provides a more complex and scalable structure for larger projects. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily install and start developing your Yii2 application using either template, depending on your project’s requirements.