Leaf PHP: The slimiest and slymiest than Slim PHP Framework

3 min readSep 5, 2024

I have always been the guy who prefered core PHP over frameworks but as they always say, you try the leaf and there’s no going back

When it comes to lightweight PHP frameworks, Slim PHP has long been a popular choice for developers who want to build APIs and web applications without the bloat. But there’s a new contender in town (atleast for a while now): Leaf PHP. In this article, we’ll explore why Leaf PHP is not just another slim framework, but the slimiest and slymiest one around, offering a more flexible, intuitive, and developer-friendly experience than Slim PHP.

Note: The terms “slimiest” and “slymiest” here are a playful take on the words slim and sly, implying that Leaf PHP is not only minimal in its approach but also clever in its design. (now you know 😁)

1. Introducing Leaf PHP

Leaf PHP is a lightweight PHP framework designed with simplicity and speed in mind. It comes with a clear, expressive syntax that feels like writing pure PHP. Leaf PHP allows you to focus on building your application without the steep learning curve associated with more complex frameworks.

Key Features:

Minimalistic Core: No fluff, just the essentials.
Expressive Syntax: Write less, do more.
Flexible Structure: No rigid conventions; use Leaf the way you want.
Integrated Tools: Comes with helpful add-ons like Leaf MVC and Leaf API, making development even smoother.

2. Leaf PHP vs. Slim PHP: Why Leaf is the Slimiest?

Both Leaf PHP and Slim PHP are micro-frameworks, but Leaf PHP has taken the “slim” concept even further. Here’s how:

More Minimalistic: Leaf PHP strips down to the absolute basics, letting you build exactly what you need without extra baggage.
Simplicity in Routing: Leaf’s routing syntax is intuitive, clean, and requires fewer lines of code to achieve the same tasks as Slim.
Flexible Middleware Integration: Leaf PHP makes middleware integration easier, allowing for more straightforward, flexible, and readable middleware handling.
Lower Learning Curve: Developers familiar with core PHP can easily pick up Leaf PHP without needing to learn new concepts or structures.

3. Leaf PHP vs. Slim PHP: Why Leaf is the Slymiest?

Leaf PHP isn’t just slim; it’s sly. It offers clever solutions that make development a breeze, especially when compared to Slim PHP.

Built-in Tools: Leaf comes with built-in packages for handling APIs, views, and MVC structures without needing third-party libraries.
Extensible Yet Compact: Leaf is designed to be easily extendable with just the features you need. Whether it’s a simple REST API or a full-featured web app, Leaf lets you slyly add complexity without the bulk.
Expressive Error Handling: Leaf’s error handling is straightforward, giving clear, actionable error messages that help you debug quickly.
Sly Documentation: The documentation is not just thorough but also structured to make you feel like the smartest person in the room while developing.

4. Code Comparison: Leaf PHP vs. Slim PHP

Let’s look at a simple example to see the difference in how both frameworks handle routing.

Slim PHP Code Example:

use Slim\Factory\AppFactory;

require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php';$app = AppFactory::create();$app->get('/', function ($request, $response, $args) {
    $response->getBody()->write("Hello, Slim!");
    return $response;
});$app->run();

Leaf PHP Code Example:

require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php';

app()->get('/', function() {
    response()->plain("Hello, Leaf!");
});app()->run();

Notice how Leaf PHP allows you to define routes in a cleaner and more compact way, making it easier to read and maintain.

5. When to Choose Leaf PHP?

Choose Leaf PHP if you:

Need a lightweight framework with minimal overhead.
Prefer writing clean and expressive code.
Want the freedom to structure your project however you like.
Enjoy having built-in tools that don’t add unnecessary complexity.
Are looking for a framework that grows with your skills, from beginner to advanced.

Give Leaf PHP a try, and you might just find yourself slyly switching over from Slim!

Lots of Credits to Michael Darko-Duodu and contributers (or maintainers or or developers, I mean just chose the words except for sons and daughters)