Meet Lithe: The Lightweight and Flexible PHP Framework

Lithe is an innovative PHP framework, engineered to be both flexible and efficient. Built with simplicity in mind, it borrows inspiration from Express.js, offering developers an intuitive way to create web applications and APIs. Lithe is perfect for those who want a minimal framework without compromising on functionality.

Philosophy Behind Lithe

Lithe was built with simplicity and efficiency in mind. Just as Express.js revolutionized backend development in JavaScript, Lithe brings a similar approach to PHP. Its philosophy includes:

• Simple and Intuitive Routing: Lithe's routing is inspired by Express.js, making it easy to read and configure.
• Powerful Middleware: Middleware support allows for modular functionalities like authentication, access control, and logging.
• Seamless Integration with External Components: Lithe adapts to your workflow, supporting various ORMs, templates, and libraries.

Routing

The core of Lithe is its routing system, designed with simplicity and inspired by Express.js. Here's an example:

get('/hello/:name', function ($req, $res) {
    $res->send('Hello, ' . $req->param('name'));
});

Middleware

Lithe supports middleware, which can be applied globally or to specific routes, allowing easy control over HTTP request flow.

// Middleware to check if the token is valid
$EnsureTokenIsValid = function ($req, $res, $next) {
    $token = $req->param('token');

    if ($token !== 'my-secret-token') {
        return $res->send('Invalid token.');
    }

    $next();
};

// Protected route using the middleware
get('/protected/:token', $EnsureTokenIsValid, function ($req, $res) {
    $res->send('Protected content accessed successfully!');
});

This flexible design ensures that you can customize your routing and middleware structure to fit your application's needs.

Performance

Although Lithe provides a rich array of features, it is designed to be lightweight. Its modular architecture allows you to include only the components you need, preventing resource overload.

Lightweight Yet Powerful

The Lithe framework is designed to remain lightweight without sacrificing performance. Its modular architecture allows you to include only the components you need. Whether building small applications or large-scale systems, Lithe offers flexibility. You can integrate any database of your choice, including Eloquent, Doctrine ORM, or raw SQL.

Installation and Setup

Getting started with Lithe is straightforward. Install it using Composer with a single command:

composer create-project lithephp/lithephp my-app

Once installed, you can quickly configure your routes and middlewares to start building robust web applications.

Who Should Use Lithe?

Lithe is ideal for developers who:

• Want a minimalist PHP framework that emphasizes simplicity.
• Are building RESTful APIs, benefiting from flexible routing.
• Need to create small to medium-sized web apps quickly and efficiently.
• Prefer integrating modular components like middlewares, template engines, and ORMs.
• Value a lightweight architecture that allows for easy customization and scalability.
• Seek to leverage community-driven development with active support and documentation.

This makes Lithe a versatile choice for various web development projects!

Getting Started

To start using Lithe, explore the comprehensive documentation on the official website. It offers examples, configuration guides, and API references.