Question 1

How do I use Eloquent relationships with Illuminate Database outside Laravel?

Accepted Answer

After configuring Capsule and booting Eloquent, define model classes with relationship methods just like in Laravel. Refer to Laravel's Eloquent documentation for syntax, but ensure all required packages like illuminate/events are installed for full functionality.

Question 2

Illuminate Database or Doctrine: which is better for a new PHP project?

Accepted Answer

Choose Illuminate Database if you prefer ActiveRecord pattern and Laravel's expressive syntax; it's ideal for rapid development. Doctrine is better for complex domain models with Data Mapper pattern and more advanced query capabilities, but has a steeper learning curve.

Question 3

How to handle database migrations without Laravel's migration runner?

Accepted Answer

Use the schema builder to programmatically create or alter tables in custom scripts. While the standalone version lacks Laravel's migration commands, you can replicate the process by executing schema changes manually or building a simple migration system.

Question 4

Does Illuminate Database support transactions and connection pooling?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it supports transactions through methods like beginTransaction and rollback. Connection pooling depends on the underlying PDO driver configuration, as Illuminate Database uses PDO for database connections, so you need to manage it at the driver level.

Question 5

Can I integrate Illuminate Database with Symfony or CodeIgniter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by setting up the Capsule manager independently in your application's bootstrap. It works in any PHP environment, but you may need to manually integrate it with the framework's service container or configuration for optimal use.

Question 6

How to set up multiple database connections with Illuminate Database?

Accepted Answer

Configure each connection using addConnection on the Capsule instance, then specify the connection name in queries or model classes. This allows seamless switching between databases, similar to Laravel's multi-database support.

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