03. Folder Structure - Laravel 11 tutorial for beginners

Summary

In this informative video, Tony offers an in-depth overview of the Laravel framework's folder structure. He explains the purpose of key directories such as 'app', 'bootstrap', 'config', 'database', 'public', 'resources', 'routes', 'storage', 'tests', and 'vendor', highlighting their roles in application logic, startup processes, configuration, database management, and dependency management. The explanation includes details on models, controllers, migrations, factories, seeders, views, and the significance of the .env file for storing application settings. The video aims to educate viewers on navigating and utilizing Laravel's architecture effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'app' directory in Laravel is the core of the application logic, containing models, controllers, and providers.
• 🔍 Controllers in the 'app/Http' subdirectory handle HTTP requests and interact with the application's logic.
• 📚 Models represent database tables and facilitate data querying and record insertion.
• 🛠 The 'bootstrap' directory is essential for the application's startup process, including the central 'app.php' file.
• 🔧 The 'config' directory holds configuration files that define how the application operates, such as database connections and mail server settings.
• 🗂 The 'database' directory includes migration files for table structure definition and seeders for populating test data.
• 🏭 'Factories' help generate realistic test data for database tables, useful for seeding and testing.
• 🌐 The 'public' directory serves as the document root and stores files accessible via web browsers, including the entry point 'index.php'.
• 📁 The 'Resources' directory stores non-web-accessible resources like asset files and Blade template files.
• 🔄 'Blade' templates are compiled into standard HTML pages served to the browser by Laravel's templating engine.
• 🛤️ The 'route' directory defines application routes that map URLs to specific controller actions.
• 💾 The 'storage' directory is used for storing various files, including application-generated files, framework files, and logs.
• 🔬 The 'test' directory is dedicated to writing automated tests, with 'feature' tests for user interactions and 'unit' tests for individual code components.
• 📦 The 'vendor' directory manages project dependencies, including third-party libraries and the core Laravel framework.
• 🔑 The '.env' file is a special configuration file that stores critical information for the application in key-value pairs.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the 'app' directory in a Laravel project?

The 'app' directory in a Laravel project is where the core logic of the application resides, including the STP models and providers, and it contains controllers for handling requests and models for interacting with the database.

What role do controllers play in a Laravel application?

Controllers in Laravel are used for the logic associated with HTTP requests, serving as a bridge between the incoming requests and the application's models.

Can you explain the function of models in Laravel?

Models in Laravel are used to interact with the database. Each database table has a corresponding model that allows querying for data and inserting new records into the table.

What is the significance of the 'bootstrap' directory in Laravel?

The 'bootstrap' directory is crucial for the application startup process, also known as bootstrapping, and it contains key elements for setting up Laravel, including the 'app.php' file which is central to bootstrapping the framework.

What is the purpose of the 'config' directory in Laravel?

The 'config' directory is the central location for all application configuration files, defining various settings that control how the application operates, such as database connections, mail server settings, queue services, session configurations, and more.

What does the 'database' directory contain and why is it important?

The 'database' directory stores files related to managing the application's database, including factories for generating test data, and migrations for defining and modifying database table structures over time.

What are seeders and how are they useful in Laravel?

Seeders in Laravel are classes that help generate realistic test data for database tables, which is useful for seeding the database with simple data for testing purposes.

What is the role of the 'public' directory in a Laravel application?

The 'public' directory in Laravel is crucial for storing files that need to be accessible by users through the web browser, acting as the document root of the application and containing static assets like images, CSS, JavaScript, and fonts, as well as the entry point 'index.php'.

What is the purpose of the 'resources' directory in Laravel?

The 'resources' directory is used for storing various application resources that are not meant to be directly accessed on the web, such as assets and view templates before they are published or compiled.

What is the significance of the 'routes' directory in Laravel?

The 'routes' directory is where all the routes for the application are defined, mapping URLs to specific controller actions that handle incoming requests, and benefiting from features like session state, CSRF protection, and cookie encryption provided by Laravel's web middleware group.

What does the 'storage' directory store in a Laravel application?

The 'storage' directory is a central location for storing various files used by the framework and the application, including the 'app' subdirectory for generated files, the 'framework' subdirectory for files created by Laravel, and the 'logs' subdirectory for log files containing application activity information.

What is the purpose of the 'test' directory in Laravel?

The 'test' directory is dedicated to writing automatic tests for the application, housing feature tests that simulate user interactions and unit tests that focus on isolated units of code to verify individual functionalities.

What is the role of the 'vendor' directory in a Laravel project?

The 'vendor' directory manages dependencies for the Laravel project, housing all third-party libraries and packages that the project relies on, including the core Laravel framework and any additional packages installed using Composer, the dependency management tool.

What information does the '.env' file store in a Laravel application?

The '.env' file in Laravel is a special configuration file that stores critical information for the application, essentially a text file with key-value pairs where the key is the variable name and the value is the actual data.

Outlines

00:00

📁 Understanding Laravel's Folder Structure

This paragraph introduces the folder structure of a Laravel project, focusing on the 'app' directory where the core logic resides. It explains the role of the 'STP' (Service, Transfer, Presentation) models and providers, and how controllers handle logic with HTTP requests. Models are highlighted as the interface for database interaction, allowing data queries and record insertion. The paragraph also touches on the 'bootstrap' directory's importance in application startup, the 'config' directory for application settings, and the 'database' directory for database management, including factories for test data generation and migrations for table structure definition.

05:00

🌐 Laravel's Routing and Additional Directories

The second paragraph delves into Laravel's routing system, located in the 'route' directory, which maps URLs to specific controller actions for handling incoming requests. It mentions the 'web' file for web interface routes and the associated security features provided by Laravel's middleware. The 'storage' directory is introduced as a central location for storing various application files, including user-generated content and framework-created files. The 'logs' directory is noted for storing application activity logs. The 'test' directory is highlighted for housing both feature and unit tests, simulating user interactions and verifying individual code functionalities, respectively. The 'vendor' directory is explained as managing project dependencies, including third-party libraries and the core Laravel framework. Lastly, the '.env' file is described as a critical configuration file with key-value pairs for application settings.

Keywords

💡Laravel

Laravel is a free, open-source PHP web framework designed for the development of web applications following the model–view–controller (MVC) architectural pattern. In the video, Laravel serves as the main subject, with the speaker explaining the folder structure and various components of a Laravel project.

💡Folder Structure

Folder structure refers to the organization of directories and files within a project. The video script discusses the specific folder structure of a Laravel project, which is essential for understanding where different types of files and resources are stored and how they interact within the framework.

💡App Directory

The app directory in Laravel is the central location for the application logic. It contains subdirectories for controllers, models, and providers. The script mentions that this directory houses the core business logic, with models interacting with the database and controllers handling HTTP requests.

💡Models

Models in Laravel are classes that represent and interact with the database tables. They are used for querying data and inserting new records. The script explains that each database table has a corresponding model, emphasizing the importance of models in data management within a Laravel application.

💡Providers

Providers in Laravel are responsible for bootstrapping services and registering them in the service container. The script notes that there is only one provider in Laravel 11, which simplifies the process of registering application services and setting up the framework.

💡Bootstrap Directory

The bootstrap directory is crucial for the application startup process in Laravel, also known as 'bootstrapping.' The script mentions that it contains key elements for setting up Laravel, including the 'app.php' file, which is central to bootstrapping the framework.

💡Config Directory

The config directory in Laravel is where all the application's configuration files are stored. These files define various settings that control how the application operates. The script highlights that common configurations include database connections, mail server settings, queue services, and session configurations.

💡Database Directory

The database directory in Laravel stores files related to managing the application's database. The script explains that it includes factories for generating test data and migrations for defining database table structures. This directory is essential for database schema management and testing.

💡Migrations

Migrations in Laravel are files that define the structure of database tables. They allow for the creation and modification of tables over time in a controlled manner. The script mentions that Laravel's migration system is a key feature for managing database schemas as part of the application development process.

💡Seeders

Seeders are files that contain code to populate the database with test data using the factories mentioned in the script. They are used for seeding the database with initial or test data, which is crucial for testing the application's functionality before deployment.

💡Public Directory

The public directory in Laravel is where files that need to be accessible by users through a web browser are stored. It acts as the document root of the application and contains static assets like images, CSS, JavaScript, and fonts, as well as the 'index.php' file, which is the entry point for the Laravel application.

💡Resources Directory

The resources directory in Laravel is used for storing various application resources that are not meant to be directly accessed on the web. It includes assets and view templates before they are published or compiled. The script mentions that this directory stores blade template files, which are compiled into standard HTML pages served to the browser.

💡Routes

Routes in Laravel define how incoming HTTP requests are handled by mapping URLs to specific controller actions. The script explains that the route directory contains route definitions that are automatically loaded by Laravel, with the 'web' file defining routes for the web interface, benefiting from features like session state and CSRF protection.

💡Storage Directory

The storage directory in Laravel is a central location for storing various files used by the framework and the application. It includes subdirectories for app-generated files, framework files like compiled blade templates, and log files containing information about the application's activity. The script highlights its importance for file management within the Laravel framework.

💡Test Directory

The test directory in Laravel is dedicated to writing automated tests for the application. It includes feature and unit subdirectories for different types of testing. The script explains that feature tests simulate user interactions, while unit tests focus on isolated units of code to verify individual functionalities.

💡Vendor Directory

The vendor directory in Laravel manages dependencies for the project, housing all third-party libraries and packages that the project relies on. This includes the core Laravel framework itself along with any additional packages installed using Composer, the dependency management tool. The script mentions that this directory is essential for maintaining the project's dependencies.

💡.env File

The .env file in Laravel is a special configuration file that stores critical information for the application. It is a text file with key-value pairs where the key is the variable name, and the value is the actual data. The script explains that this file is important for configuring environment-specific settings for the Laravel application.

Highlights

Introduction to the folder structure in Laravel.

Explanation of the 'app' directory as the core logic of the Laravel application.

Description of the 'STP models' and 'providers' within the 'HTP' subdirectory.

Role of 'controllers' in handling STP requests and application logic.

Importance of 'models' for database table interaction and data manipulation.

Simplification in Laravel 11 with only one provider, contrasting with previous versions.

Explanation of the 'bootstrap' directory's role in the application startup process.

Details on the 'app.php' file as the central piece for bootstrapping Laravel.

Overview of the 'config' directory for application configuration files.

Common configurations in Laravel, such as database connections and mail server settings.

Introduction to the 'database' directory for managing database-related files.

Purpose of 'factories' for generating realistic test data for database tables.

Description of 'migrations' for defining and modifying database table structures.

Explanation of 'seeders' for populating the database with test data using factories.

Role of the 'public' directory as the document root for web-accessible files.

Importance of the 'Resources' directory for storing non-web-accessible application resources.

Function of 'Blade templates' in defining the structure and layout of the application.

Introduction to the 'route' directory for defining application routes and URL mappings.

Details on the 'web' file for defining web interface routes with Laravel middleware features.

Overview of the 'storage' directory for storing framework and application files.

Explanation of the 'test' directory for writing automated tests in Laravel.

Differentiation between 'feature' tests for user interactions and 'unit' tests for isolated code units.

Role of the 'vendor' directory in managing project dependencies and third-party libraries.

Introduction to the '.env' file for storing critical configuration information.

Summary of the video content and call to action for viewers to subscribe and engage with the channel.

Transcripts

Hello friends Tony here welcome so in

this video I'm going to explain you the

folder structure on laravel and here we

have the larel project we have some

folders and files and let's start with

the app directory so the app directory

is where the logic of our app is and

here we have the STP models and

providers

subdirectory so inside the HTP folder we

Define the controller we using them for

the logic with the STP request and then

we have models now each database table

has a corresponding model which is used

to interact with that table and models

allow you to query for data in your

tables as well as insert new records in

uh the table then we have a providers

and in L level we have only one

provider on previous version since we

had more than that so here we can

register any application services and

boost up any application Services okay

let's start with second one which is the

bootstrap directory so the bootstrap

directory inel is crucial for the

application startup process also known

as bopping and it contains several key

elements for setting up the larel here

we have the app PHP file this file in

larel 11 acts as the central piece for

bootstrapping the LEL the global

configuration file it loads the

framework and configures auto loading

for your projects

classes we have also the providers here

we're going to register all the

providers okay now let's start with the

config directory and also we have some

files here uh in the previous V versions

also here we had more than what we have

right now with the L 11 we have more

clean uh project so the config directory

in larel is the central location for all

your uh applications configuration files

and this files define various settings

that control how your application

operates some of the common things you

can configure included database

connection as you can see here uh mail

server uh quiz Services session and so

on okay then we have the database

directory so the database directory

stores files related to managing your

applications database and also we have

the database SQL light here as you can

see we have factories so this are

classes that help you generate realistic

test data for your database tables and

this is useful for seeding your database

with simple data for testing then we

have migrations migration these are the

files that Define the structure of your

data datase tables and lel's migration

system allow you to create and modify

tables over time in a controlled way and

we are going to learn them more at the

course let's close then we have this

seders directory so this are files that

contain this are files that contain code

to populate your database with test data

using the factories mentioned

earlier all okay then we have the public

directory so in larav the public

directory is a crucial folder for

storing files that need to be accessible

by users through the web browser so it

acts as the document route of your

application and what we can store here

we can static assets like images CSS

JavaScript and fonts and also as you can

see contains the this index. PHP file

the entry point for your larel

application so this is the entry point

index inside the public directory okay

then we have the Resources directory and

in LEL this directory is a location for

storing various application resources

that are not meant to be directly

accessed on the web so the opposite of

the public directory is the Resources

directory so it acts as a stage in area

for assets and view templates before

they are published or compiled and here

for example we have

CSS uh JS

files and also the views and this

directory stores blade template files

that Define the structure and layout of

your

application and lar templates engine

this blade. blade. PHP compiles this

files into standard HTML pages that are

served to the

browser okay next let's see the route

directory so the route directory in

larel is where you defined all the

routes for your application and this

routes map URLs the specific controller

action that handled in Comming requests

and L automatically loads the routes

files you defined in here by default the

L comes with these two files the console

and the web we are going to work with

web

mostly so this file defines routes for

you your web interface and this routes

typically benefit from features like a

session State csrf protection and cookie

encryption which are provided by the web

middleware group in larel okay then we

have this console here we're going to

register the Artisan commands Sher and

so

on next we have the storage directory

the storage directory in is a central

location for storing various files used

by the framework and your application we

have the app subdirectory this

subdirectory can store any files your

application generates uploaded user

avatars and so on then we have the

framework this subdirectory stores files

created by larav itself such as compiled

blade templates file based session Etc

then we have

logs these subdirectory store log files

containing information about your

application's activity okay then we have

the test directory and the test

directory in L is dedicated to writing

automatic test for your application and

we have the feature and unit

subdirectories here so let's start with

the features this subdirectory houses

feature test and this test simulate user

interactions with your application often

involving multiple components working

together then we have the unit

subdirectory this subdirectory stores

unit test this test focus on isolated

units of your code typically a single

class or a method and they aim to verify

the correctness of individual

functionalities okay then we have the

vendor directory and the vendor

directory in laravel manages

dependencies for your project it houses

all the third- party libraries and

packages that your project relies on the

function this includes the core drial

framework itself along with any

additional packages you've installed

using composer

dependency management tool and here we

have

laravel itself as you can

see okay and then we have some files

here but what I'm going to show you in

this video is this EnV file now the EnV

file in darav is a special configuration

file that stores critical information

for your application it's essentially a

text file with key value pairs as you

can see

where the key acts as a name for the

variable and the value is the actual

data and that's it all about this video

what I wanted to show you I hope you

enjoy friends and if you like such a

videos don't forget to subscribe to my

channel like the video share with your

friends and see you in the next one all

the best thank you very

much