Zym is an application level PHP5 framework that streamlines the development of applications in a consistent manor using a set of defined conventions and patterns. It is based off of Zend Framework and therefore inherits ZF's loose-coupled "use-at-will" architecture. Zym becomes the "glue" for bringing Zend Framework's components together to similate a "full-stack" framework without the restrictions of one.

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• Unique
• Can be abbreviated into a namespace less than 7 characters

Why use Zym over Zend Framework or no framework?

Whether developing with Zend Framework or straight PHP, some where along the path, you are going to end up with your own application-level framework or a tangled mess. Both Zend Framework and Zym provide a solid base for developers to build their applications, without the need to reinvent the wheel.

So which should you choose? Zym or Zend Framework? The answer to this question is: both! Zym can be seen as an addition to Zend Framework, instead of a replacement of Zend Framework. It won't re-invent the wheel by building a completely new framework. Instead, Zym's goal is to synergize with Zend Framework.

Is Zym a fork of Zend Framework?

Absolutely not! Zend Framework's "use-at-will" architecture is a double-edged sword, while it is extremely flexible, it leaves its users clueless as how to build consistent applications. One of Zym's main goals is to work with Zend Framework and where possible contribute to the Zend Framework core.

Features

• Convention over configuration
• Database independent
• Cache management
• Debugging tools
• Authentication/Acl integration
• Multilingual integration
• Easy to extend functionality
• Easy to use
• High quality code
• Works on top of Zend Framework

Is Zym for me?

Have you ever encountered a situation where you find out that a lot of people are working on the exact same home-made component as you? Have you ever wished components like those were just included in the Zend Framework? Have you ever wished some parts of the Zend Framework were just more concrete?

If you've answered yes to any question above you should definitely check Zym out. The lead developers of Zym are active members of the Zend Framework community and discuss a lot of the problems those questions describe at a daily basis. It is from that experience that Zym is built.

Why do you only support PHP5?

There are a lot of reasons why we only support PHP 5. Probably most important of all is the fact that PHP4's development is officially terminated as of 01-01-2008. Also, Zend Framework has a minimum requirement of PHP 5.1.6. In general, Zym will have the same minimum requirements as Zend Framework.