Php.new, Inertia v2, Sublime vs. VS code, and More Laravel Cloud Updates

Key takeaways

The php.new tool simplifies PHP installations for new developers, improving the onboarding process.
A new composer script allows developers to set up a full Laravel development environment with one command.
Inertia.js V2 beta adds valuable features like infinite scrolling and prefetching, enhancing its integration with Laravel.
The choice between development tools like Sublime Text and VS Code can impact developer productivity, with each having its strengths.
Companies are encouraged to financially support open source initiatives as part of their operational responsibility.
Creating documentation early can clarify feature design and improve overall user experience.

Summary

Introduction of php.new

Hosts Matt Stauffer and Taylor Otwell dive into exciting updates in the Laravel ecosystem. They discuss php.new, a new command-line tool that streamlines the PHP installation process without relying on package managers like Homebrew. This tool allows developers to quickly install PHP along with Composer and the Laravel installer using a simple command in the terminal, making onboarding much smoother.

Enhancements to Laravel onboarding experience

Taylor talks about new features that enhance the onboarding experience for Laravel developers, including a composer script that combines multiple commands to set up local development quickly. This new script allows developers to initiate the Laravel Artisan server, queue worker, Vite dev server, and logs all from one command, which significantly reduces the setup time for new projects.

Inertia.js V2 Beta Release

The hosts celebrate the beta release of Inertia.js V2, adding support for Vue, React, and Svelte, with features like improved infinite scrolling and prefetching. Taylor discusses how this release simplifies the developer experience and incorporates feedback from users into its development, keeping it aligned with Laravel's philosophy.

Discussions on Development Tools: Sublime vs. VS Code

The conversation shifts to the choice of development tools, focusing on Sublime Text and Visual Studio Code. Taylor shares his preference for Sublime due to its speed, while also recognizing the growing popularity and functionality of VS Code. The hosts discuss the productivity implications of using various editors and the potential benefits of AI-assisted coding.

Open Source Pledge and Contributions

Taylor explains the Open Source Pledge initiative, wherein companies pledge financial support for open source projects to help sustain them. He emphasizes the responsibility companies have to support open source developers whose work is essential to the tech ecosystem, citing Laravel's commitment to establish payout plans to prominent projects like the PHP Foundation.

Laravel Documentation Practices

In their final discussion, Taylor shares insights into how Laravel documentation is created. He explains methods for writing documentation, especially emphasizing writing initial drafts before a feature is completed. This practice fosters clarity in the feature's functionality and guides its development.

Show notes

In this episode of the Laravel Podcast, hosts Matt Stauffer and Taylor Otwell explore the latest updates in the Laravel ecosystem, highlighting new features, tools, and enhancements designed to improve the developer experience. They cover the introduction of php.new for simplified PHP installation, a new composer script for easier app setup, and the beta release of Inertia.js V2. The discussion also includes upcoming features in Laravel Cloud and the ongoing debate between popular development tools like Sublime Text and VS Code. Additionally, Taylor shares his process for writing documentation for Laravel.

----- Editing and transcription sponsored by Tighten.