Building software application can be complex, an time consuming process , but using a framework we can reduce the complexity and time consumption(by reusing the most common and generic modules). Framework is a plateform for developing a software application, its provide a foundation on which software developers build a program. Here I am listing the top 5 php frameworks that mostly used by developers.

1. Laravel:

Laravel is a new born php framework, as you consider that version 1.0 of laravel was release a couple of years ago. It make a web development joy, by saving your time and effort. According to 2013 developers servey on php frameworks popularity, laravel is listed the most popular framework among all others.

Laravel Release History:
Laravel 1: release data: 9 june 2011 

Laravel 2: release data: 24 november 2011 

Laravel 3: release data: 22 february 2012 

Laravel 4: release data: 28 may 2013 

2. Codeigniter:

As a php web developer I used codeigniter as a framework, and I found it a very useful, simple and fast framework. I love to work in codeigniter because it is based on MVC pattern. In MVC we can kept all code in organized form and code reusability is also very easy. The libraries and helpers include in it make the tasks more simple and easy. 

Advantage:

     1. Simple folder structure.
     2. Easy to configure.
     3. Can construct your own cleaner URL structure.
     4. Simplicity very easy to use. Therefor community and         documentation is also very good.

3. Symfony:

Symfony is also an open source php framework, use to develop web applications. The main aim  of symfony is to cut down the development and maintenance time and to replace repetitive coding tasks. Symfony released his first version October 18, 2005 under the MIT license. It is also work on MVC pattern.


Advantage:


    1.  Easy configuration

    2. Wide set of command line tools
    3. Plugin creation is easy
    4. Extensive cache system

4 . CakePHP:

CakePHP is also an open source php framework. CakePHP development was started on april 2005, and it is now one of the best php framework.

Advantage:


    1.  Easy to configure and plugin your own implementations for external login services.
    2. Form helper use HTML5
    3. Default look taking advantage of css3 features.
    4. Easy session handling.

1.  Yii:

 Yii is pronounced as yee or [ji:] and it is acroynym  for “Yes It Is!” yii is an open source , free web application development framework, it is a highly performance, component base framework written in PHP5. Yii is design to develop complex, highly traffic social and ecommerce based website. Yii project development was started on 1-january-2008 and its first version was released on 3-december-2008.

Advantage:

    1.  High performance platform is best for web2.0 application development.
    2. Reduce development time, flexible , modular, efficient    and extensible.
    3. Handling error is quite simple.
    4. Complaint with third party code.