Is Siler still maintained?

No, Siler is archived and not actively updated. The author recommends Nano as a lightweight alternative with Swoole support, as noted in the README.

How does Siler compare to Laravel for API development?

Siler is faster and has zero dependencies, ideal for minimalistic projects, while Laravel offers more features like Eloquent ORM but with higher overhead. Choose Siler for performance, Laravel for convenience.

How to set up GraphQL with Siler?

Install peer dependencies like webonyx/graphql-php, then use Siler's GraphQL module to define schemas and resolvers. The README provides code examples for both schema-first and code-first approaches.

Does Siler support database connections?

Siler does not include built-in database support; you need to use plain PHP functions or integrate libraries like PDO or Doctrine manually for data persistence.

What are the performance benefits of using Siler with Swoole?

Swoole integration allows non-blocking, concurrent HTTP servers, significantly improving throughput and reducing latency compared to traditional PHP-FPM, as highlighted in benchmarks linked in the README.

Are there active alternatives to Siler for lightweight PHP?

Yes, the author recommends Nano. Other options include Slim Framework or Laminas for minimalistic approaches, but Siler's unique declarative style and Swoole support set it apart.

Open-Awesome

siler

MITPHPv1.7.9

A set of high-level PHP abstractions for declarative programming using flat files and plain functions.

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1.1k stars91 forks0 contributors

What is siler?

Siler is a set of high-level abstractions for declarative programming in PHP, built around flat files and plain functions. It provides an API for routing, HTTP responses, and GraphQL integration without the overhead of a full framework, focusing on simplicity and performance.

Target Audience

PHP developers looking for a lightweight, performant alternative to traditional frameworks, especially those interested in declarative programming, Swoole-based servers, or GraphQL APIs.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Siler for its zero-dependency design, blazing-fast performance, and clean declarative API, making it ideal for projects where simplicity and speed are priorities over complex framework features.

Overview

⚡ Flat-files and plain-old PHP functions rockin'on as a set of general purpose high-level abstractions.

Use Cases

Best For

Building lightweight PHP APIs with minimal overhead
Creating high-performance HTTP servers using Swoole
Implementing GraphQL APIs with schema-first or code-first approaches
Developing declarative PHP applications without framework constraints
Prototyping or small projects where simplicity is key
Integrating plain PHP functions into a structured routing system

Not Ideal For

Teams requiring active maintenance and long-term support for production applications
Projects needing a full-stack framework with built-in components like ORM, authentication, or templating
Developers preferring object-oriented design patterns over functional or declarative programming styles
Large-scale enterprise systems where community plugins and extensive documentation are critical

Pros & Cons

Pros

Zero Dependencies

Built entirely on PHP's built-in functions, eliminating external package overhead and simplifying deployment, as emphasized in the README.

Exceptional Performance

Benchmarks linked in the README demonstrate minimal overhead, making it one of the fastest options for routing and HTTP handling in PHP.

Declarative API Simplicity

Provides clean functions for routing and responses, reducing boilerplate code and improving readability, as shown in the Hello World examples.

Swoole Integration

First-class support for Swoole enables high-concurrency HTTP servers with minimal configuration, detailed in the tutorial section.

GraphQL Flexibility

Supports both schema-first and code-first approaches for building GraphQL APIs, requiring only peer dependencies like webonyx/graphql-php.

Cons

Archived Project

The repository is archived with no updates or security patches, making it risky for new projects, as the README explicitly warns and recommends alternatives.

Limited Feature Set

Lacks built-in components for common needs like database abstraction or authentication, requiring manual integration and additional libraries.

Peer Dependency Complexity

Advanced features like GraphQL require installing external packages (e.g., doctrine/annotations), adding setup steps and potential compatibility issues.

Niche Programming Style

Heavy reliance on functional and declarative programming may be unfamiliar to developers used to object-oriented frameworks, increasing the learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

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