Learn how to install Laravel 8 step by step with our easy-to-follow guide. Get your project up and running in no time!

Are you planning to use Laravel for your next web development project? You’re in luck because Laravel 8 has recently been released, and it comes with a bunch of new features and improvements. But before you can start building with Laravel, you need to install it first. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the installation process because we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll guide you through the Laravel 8 installation step by step.

Firstly, let’s talk about the prerequisites. You need to have PHP installed on your machine, preferably version 7.3 or higher. Additionally, you will need to install some PHP extensions like Mbstring, JSON, and OpenSSL. These are necessary for Laravel to function correctly. Once you have these requirements, you can proceed with the installation process.Next, we’ll be using Composer to install Laravel. Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that installs and manages packages for your application. We’ll guide you through the whole process, from installing Composer to creating a new Laravel project. With our step-by-step instructions, you’ll be up and running with Laravel 8 in no time.So, are you ready to dive into the world of Laravel? Follow our guide, and you’ll be on your way to creating amazing web applications with this powerful framework. Let’s get started!

Laravel 8 Installation Step By Step

If you are a web developer and looking for a PHP framework to build robust web applications, Laravel is the best choice. Laravel is a popular open-source PHP framework that allows developers to create applications with an elegant syntax. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step installation process of Laravel 8.

Prerequisites

Before starting the Laravel 8 installation process, make sure that you have the following prerequisites on your system:

• PHP version 7.3 or higher installed
• Composer installed
• Web server (Apache or Nginx)
• MySQL or MariaDB database

Step 1: Install Composer

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that allows you to install and manage the libraries and dependencies that your project requires. To install Composer, run the following command in your terminal:

“`bash$ php -r copy(‘https://getcomposer.org/installer’, ‘composer-setup.php’);$ php composer-setup.php$ php -r unlink(‘composer-setup.php’);“`This will download and install Composer on your system.

Step 2: Install Laravel 8

To install Laravel 8, you can use Composer. Run the following command in your terminal:

“`bash$ composer create-project –prefer-dist laravel/laravel blog“`This command will create a new Laravel 8 project named blog in the current directory.

Step 3: Configure Environment Variables

After installing Laravel, you need to configure the environment variables. Laravel comes with a .env file that contains all the environment variables required for your application. You can copy the .env.example file and rename it to .env using the following command:“`bash$ cp .env.example .env“`After copying the .env file, you need to generate a new application key using the following command:“`bash$ php artisan key:generate“`

Step 4: Setup Database

Next, you need to configure your database settings in the .env file. Set the DB_DATABASE, DB_USERNAME, and DB_PASSWORD variables to your database name, username, and password respectively.After configuring the database settings, you can run the following command to migrate the database:“`bash$ php artisan migrate“`This command will create the necessary tables in your database.

Step 5: Serve Laravel Application

To serve your Laravel application, run the following command in your terminal:“`bash$ php artisan serve“`This will start a development server at http://localhost:8000. You can access your Laravel application by visiting this URL in your web browser.

Step 6: Create Routes and Views

Now that you have installed Laravel and set up the database, you can start building your application. You can create routes in the web.php file located in the routes directory. Here’s an example:“`phpRoute::get(‘/’, function () { return view(‘welcome’);});“`This route will return the welcome view when you visit the root URL of your application.

Step 7: Create Controllers and Models

You can create controllers and models using the following commands:“`bash$ php artisan make:controller UserController$ php artisan make:model User“`This will create a UserController.php file in the app/Http/Controllers directory and a User.php file in the app/Models directory.

Step 8: Install Packages

Laravel provides a package manager called Composer that allows you to install packages and dependencies for your application. You can install packages using the following command:“`bash$ composer require package-name“`

Step 9: Run Tests

Laravel comes with PHPUnit, a testing framework for PHP. You can run tests using the following command:“`bash$ php artisan test“`This will run all the tests in the tests directory.

Step 10: Deploy Laravel Application

To deploy your Laravel application to a web server, you need to configure your web server to serve the public directory of your Laravel application. You also need to configure the .env file on the web server with the correct environment variables.After configuring the web server and environment variables, you can upload your Laravel application files to the web server and start serving your application.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide for installing Laravel 8. Laravel is a powerful PHP framework that allows developers to build robust web applications with ease. By following these steps, you can set up a new Laravel project and start building your application.Understanding Laravel 8 and its FeaturesLaravel is a free, open-source PHP framework that was created by Taylor Otwell in 2011. Since then, Laravel has grown to become one of the most popular PHP frameworks in the world, thanks to its elegant syntax, powerful features, and robust community support. With every new release, Laravel brings exciting updates and improvements to make web development faster and more efficient. Laravel 8, the latest version of the framework, was released in September 2020 with several new features and improvements. Some of the most notable features of Laravel 8 include improved routing speed, model factory classes, automatic migration discovery, enhanced rate limiting, and many more.Installing Laravel 8 on your SystemTo start using Laravel 8, you first need to install it on your system. The installation process involves setting up your environment, installing composer and other dependencies, and finally, installing Laravel 8. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install Laravel 8 on your system:Step 1: Install PHP and Other DependenciesTo install Laravel 8, you need to have PHP 7.3 or higher installed on your system. You can check if PHP is already installed on your system by running the command php -v in your terminal. If PHP is not installed, you can download it from the official PHP website or use a package manager like Homebrew or apt-get to install it.Besides PHP, you also need to install several PHP extensions and dependencies required by Laravel 8, including OpenSSL, PDO, Mbstring, Tokenizer, XML, Ctype, JSON, and BCMath. You can install these dependencies using your package manager or by running the following command:sudo apt-get install php7.4-common php7.4-cli php7.4-mbstring php7.4-gd php7.4-intl php7.4-xml php7.4-zipStep 2: Install Composer Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that is used to install and manage packages required by Laravel 8. To install Composer, you can download the installer from the official website or use your package manager.Once you have downloaded the installer, run the following command to install Composer globally on your system:sudo mv composer.phar /usr/local/bin/composerStep 3: Install Laravel 8Now that you have installed PHP and Composer, you can proceed with installing Laravel 8. To do this, open your terminal and run the following command:composer create-project laravel/laravel my-app –prefer-distThis command will create a new Laravel 8 project named my-app in the current directory. The –prefer-dist flag tells Composer to download and install the project files as a compressed archive rather than cloning the Git repository.Setting up your Development EnvironmentBefore you start working on your Laravel 8 project, you need to set up your development environment. This involves installing an IDE, database software, and configuring your web server. Here’s what you need to do:Step 1: Install an IDEAn Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essential for coding, debugging, and testing your Laravel 8 application. Some popular IDEs for Laravel development include Visual Studio Code, PhpStorm, and Sublime Text. You can download and install any of these IDEs based on your preference.Step 2: Install a Database SoftwareLaravel 8 supports several databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle. You can choose any of these databases based on your requirements. Once you have chosen a database, you need to install the corresponding software on your system. For example, if you are using MySQL, you can install it using your package manager or by downloading it from the official MySQL website.Step 3: Configure your Web ServerLaravel 8 requires a web server to run your application. You can use any web server that supports PHP, such as Apache, Nginx, or IIS. Once you have installed the web server, you need to configure it to point to the public directory of your Laravel 8 project. For example, if you are using Apache, you can create a new virtual host configuration file and add the following lines: ServerName my-app.test DocumentRoot /path/to/my-app/public AllowOverride All Require all granted Creating a New Laravel ProjectOnce you have set up your development environment, you can create a new Laravel 8 project using the Composer package manager. Here’s what you need to do:Step 1: Open your TerminalOpen your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to create your Laravel 8 project.Step 2: Run the Composer CommandRun the following command in your terminal to create a new Laravel 8 project:composer create-project laravel/laravel my-app –prefer-distThis will create a new Laravel 8 project named my-app in the current directory.Step 3: Verify the InstallationOnce the installation is complete, you can verify it by running the following command in your terminal:php artisan –versionIf Laravel 8 is installed correctly, you should see the version number displayed in the terminal.Understanding the Laravel 8 Folder StructureThe folder structure of Laravel 8 is organized in a specific way to make it easy to manage and maintain your application. Here’s a brief overview of the Laravel 8 folder structure and the purpose of each directory:- app/: This directory contains the core application logic, including the models, controllers, middleware, and service providers.- bootstrap/: This directory contains the scripts and configurations required to bootstrap the Laravel 8 application.- config/: This directory contains all the configuration files for the Laravel 8 application, including the database configuration, email configuration, and application services configuration.- database/: This directory contains the database migrations and seeders for the Laravel 8 application.- public/: This directory contains the front controller and other assets required to run the Laravel 8 application in a web browser.- resources/: This directory contains the views, assets, and language files for the Laravel 8 application.- routes/: This directory contains the route definitions for the Laravel 8 application.- storage/: This directory contains the application logs, cache, and uploaded files.- tests/: This directory contains the automated tests for the Laravel 8 application.- vendor/: This directory contains the third-party packages installed by Composer.Configuring the Laravel 8 EnvironmentTo run your Laravel 8 application, you need to configure the environment variables, database connections, email services, and application services. Here’s what you need to do:Step 1: Create a Copy of the .env FileLaravel 8 comes with a sample .env file that contains the default configuration settings. You need to create a copy of this file and rename it to .env.local to customize the settings for your application.Step 2: Set the Environment VariablesThe .env.local file contains several environment variables that are used to configure your Laravel 8 application. Some of the most important environment variables include:- APP_NAME: The name of your Laravel 8 application.- APP_ENV: The environment mode for your Laravel 8 application (e.g., local, production).- APP_DEBUG: Whether to enable debugging for your Laravel 8 application.- APP_URL: The URL of your Laravel 8 application.- DB_CONNECTION: The type of database you are using (e.g., mysql, pgsql).- DB_HOST: The hostname of your database server.- DB_PORT: The port number of your database server.- DB_DATABASE: The name of your database.- DB_USERNAME: The username for your database.- DB_PASSWORD: The password for your database.Step 3: Configure Email ServicesLaravel 8 supports several email services, including SMTP, Sendmail, and Amazon SES. To configure email services for your Laravel 8 application, you need to modify the MAIL_ environment variables in the .env.local file.Step 4: Configure Application ServicesLaravel 8 provides several application services, such as caching, session management, and encryption. You can configure these services by modifying the corresponding environment variables in the .env.local file.Installing Laravel 8 DependenciesLaravel 8 comes with several built-in features and functionalities. However, sometimes you may need to install additional dependencies to add more functionality to your application. Here are some of the most common dependencies used in Laravel 8:- Authentication: Laravel 8 provides a built-in authentication system that allows you to authenticate users and manage user roles and permissions. To use this system, you need to install the laravel/ui package using Composer.- Testing Tools: Laravel 8 provides a testing framework that allows you to write automated tests for your application. To use this framework, you need to install the phpunit/phpunit package using Composer.- Packages for Various Functionalities: Laravel 8 has a vast ecosystem of third-party packages that you can use to add more features and functionalities to your application. Some popular packages include Spatie/Laravel-Package, Laravel Debugbar, and Laravel Horizon.Building your first Laravel 8 ApplicationNow that you have installed Laravel 8 and set up your development environment, you can start building your first Laravel 8 application. Here’s what you need to do:Step 1: Create RoutesRoutes define the URLs and HTTP methods that your application will handle. You can create routes by modifying the routes/web.php file in your Laravel 8 project. For example, to create a route that displays a welcome message, you can add the following line:Route::get(‘/’, function () { return ‘Welcome to my Laravel 8 application’;});Step 2: Create ControllersControllers handle the logic for your application’s routes. You can create controllers by modifying the app/Http/Controllers directory in your Laravel 8 project. For example, to create a controller that handles the welcome route, you can create a new file named WelcomeController.php with the following code:

Welcome to my Laravel 8 application

Step 4: Configure Database MigrationsDatabase migrations allow you to manage your application’s database schema using PHP code. You can create migrations by running the following command in your terminal:php artisan make:migration create_users_table –create=usersThis command will create a new migration file named create_users_table.php in the database/migrations directory. You can modify this file to define the database schema for your application.Step 5: Manage Session and CookiesLaravel 8 provides built-in support for managing session and cookies. You can access and modify session and cookies using the session() and cookie() helper functions. For example, to set a cookie, you can use the following code:return response(‘Hello World’)->cookie( ‘name’, ‘value’, $minutes);Deploying Laravel 8 Application Once you have developed and tested your Laravel 8 application, you can deploy it to a remote server for your users. Here are some steps you need to follow to deploy your application:Step 1: Configure the Server EnvironmentYou need to configure the server environment to support your Laravel 8 application. This involves installing the necessary dependencies, configuring the web server, and setting up the database.

Are you ready to take your web development skills to the next level? Laravel 8 is a powerful PHP framework that can help you create dynamic and scalable web applications. But before you can start building with Laravel, you need to install it on your computer. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the Laravel 8 installation process.

Step 1: Install the Prerequisites

Before you can install Laravel 8, you need to make sure that your computer has the necessary prerequisites:

• PHP >= 7.3
• Composer
• BCMath PHP Extension
• Ctype PHP Extension
• Fileinfo PHP extension
• JSON PHP Extension
• Mbstring PHP Extension
• OpenSSL PHP Extension
• PDO PHP Extension
• Tokenizer PHP Extension
• XML PHP Extension

If you’re not sure whether your computer has these prerequisites, you can check by running the following command in your terminal:

php -m

Step 2: Install Laravel 8

Once you’ve confirmed that your computer has the necessary prerequisites, you can install Laravel 8 using Composer. Open your terminal and run the following command:

composer create-project --prefer-dist laravel/laravel myapp

This command will create a new Laravel 8 project in a directory called “myapp”.

Step 3: Configure Your Database

Laravel 8 uses a database to store your application’s data. Before you can start using Laravel, you need to configure your database. Open the “.env” file in your Laravel project directory and update the following lines to match your database configuration:

DB_DATABASE=your_database_nameDB_USERNAME=your_database_usernameDB_PASSWORD=your_database_password

Step 4: Run Your Laravel 8 Application

Now that you’ve installed Laravel 8 and configured your database, you’re ready to run your application. Navigate to your project directory in your terminal and run the following command:

php artisan serve

This command will start a local development server at http://localhost:8000. You can now open your web browser and visit this URL to see your Laravel 8 application in action!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Laravel 8 on your computer and started your first Laravel project. With its powerful features and intuitive syntax, Laravel can help you build web applications faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this step-by-step guide on how to install Laravel 8. We hope that it has been informative and useful in helping you get started with this powerful PHP framework.As we have seen, installing Laravel 8 is a relatively straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few steps. From downloading the necessary files to setting up your database and environment variables, we have covered all the essential elements you need to know to get started with this framework.Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, Laravel 8 provides an intuitive and user-friendly platform that can help you build robust and scalable web applications. With its comprehensive documentation and active community, you can be confident that you will be able to find the support and resources you need to get the most out of this framework.We hope that you have found this guide helpful and that you are now ready to dive into the world of Laravel 8. Remember to keep exploring and experimenting with the different features and functionalities of this framework, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the community if you need any assistance along the way. Happy coding!

People also ask about Laravel 8 Installation Step By Step:

1. What are the system requirements for installing Laravel 8?

The system requirements for installing Laravel 8 are PHP >= 7.3.0, BCMath PHP Extension, Ctype PHP Extension, Fileinfo PHP extension, JSON PHP Extension, Mbstring PHP Extension, OpenSSL PHP Extension, PDO PHP Extension, Tokenizer PHP Extension, and XML PHP Extension.

2. How do I install Laravel 8?

You can install Laravel 8 by following these steps:

• Open your terminal or command prompt.
• Navigate to the directory where you want to install Laravel 8.
• Type in the command composer create-project laravel/laravel:^8.0 project-name.
• Wait for the installation process to finish.
• You can now start using Laravel 8.
3. What is Composer and how do I install it?

Composer is a tool for dependency management in PHP. You can install Composer by following these steps:

• Go to the official Composer website (https://getcomposer.org/).
• Download the Composer installer.
• Run the installer in your terminal or command prompt.
• Verify that Composer is installed by typing in the command composer in your terminal or command prompt.
4. What is the difference between Laravel 8 and earlier versions of Laravel?

Laravel 8 comes with several new features and improvements compared to earlier versions of Laravel. Some of the key differences include:

• Laravel 8 requires PHP >= 7.3.0, while earlier versions only required PHP >= 5.5.9.
• Laravel 8 introduces support for Laravel Jetstream, a new application scaffolding package.
• Laravel 8 comes with improved rate limiting functionality.
• Laravel 8 includes support for the latest version of the Blade template engine.
5. Do I need to have any prior knowledge of PHP or Laravel to install Laravel 8?

No, you do not need to have any prior knowledge of PHP or Laravel to install Laravel 8. However, having some basic understanding of PHP and Laravel will be helpful in using and customizing Laravel 8 for your specific needs.