Introduction
As my site, based on MIVA/XBase, started experiencing storage and performance
problems, I decided to switch to PHP/MySql. I wanted to rewrite the Web application
using a simple and “easy to use” Web development framework that:
- uses pure Object Oriented methodology,
- eliminates global variables,
- eliminates the use of “freestanding” codes (codes that are outside any classes
or functions) and uses only classes,
- is capable of incorporating any open source classes,
- is based on html templates for separating the views from the rest of the
application,
- uses a simple, flexible, fast, and powerful templating system,
- uses text-based application configurations, instead of, code-based configurations
where configuration variables are defined in setting files,
- provides flexibility in folder organizations depending on application requirements,
and
- leads to application development based on the Front Controller design pattern
and the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture.
After searching the Web, I did not find any simple and “easy to use” framework
that met all or most of my criteria outlined above. Hence, I developed the Eocene
framework using PHP for foundation classes and xml-based text files for application
configurations.
It is a simple framework that can be used to solve a large number of Web development
projects. Due to its flexible and modular design, it can also be extended to
solve complex projects. In this short article I introduce the Eocene framework
and its salient features. All the codes are available for download from the
Eocene Web site for free
and the framework can be used for any purpose without a fee. The download also
includes a manual detailing the framework and its uses with examples. I would
like other developers to use and/or review the framework and provide their opinions
about its pros and cons.