How to Install Laravel 12

Laravel is a popular PHP framework used for building web applications with elegant syntax and robust features. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install Laravel 12, ensuring you have everything set up to start your development journey.

Prerequisites

• PHP >= 8.1
• Composer
• A web server (Apache, Nginx, etc.)
• Node.js and npm (for frontend assets)

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

Before installing Laravel, ensure that your server meets the necessary requirements. You can check your PHP version by running:

php -v

Step 2: Installing Composer

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP. To install Composer, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Composer website.
2. Download the installer and follow the instructions for your operating system.
3. After installation, verify Composer is installed by running:

composer -V

Step 3: Creating a New Laravel Project

With Composer installed, you can create a new Laravel project by running:

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

Replace project-name with your desired project name.

Step 4: Configuring Environment Variables

Navigate to your project directory:

cd project-name

Copy the example environment file:

cp .env.example .env

Open the .env file and configure your database and application settings.

Step 5: Generating Application Key

Laravel requires an application key, which is a random string used for encrypted data. You can generate this key using:

php artisan key:generate

Step 6: Running Migrations

If you have defined database migrations, you can run them using:

php artisan migrate

This command will create the necessary tables in your database.

Step 7: Serving Your Application

To serve your application locally, use the Artisan command:

php artisan serve

Your application will be available at http://localhost:8000.

Checklist for Laravel Installation

• PHP version checked
• Composer installed
• New Laravel project created
• Environment variables configured
• Application key generated
• Migrations run
• Application served

FAQs

1. What are the system requirements for Laravel 12?

Laravel 12 requires PHP 8.1 or higher, Composer, and a web server.

2. How can I update my Laravel project?

Use Composer to update your project by running composer update.

3. Can I use Laravel with shared hosting?

Yes, as long as your shared hosting provider meets the system requirements.

4. How do I install additional packages in Laravel?

You can install packages using Composer with the command composer require package/name.

5. What is the purpose of the .env file?

The .env file is used to store environment variables and configuration settings for your Laravel application.

6. Is Laravel suitable for large applications?

Yes, Laravel is designed for building robust applications and is suitable for projects of all sizes.

7. How can I learn more about Laravel?

The official Laravel documentation is a great resource for learning more about features and best practices.

Conclusion

Installing Laravel 12 is a straightforward process that sets the foundation for building powerful web applications. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be ready to start developing with Laravel in no time.