Choosing a PHP Code Generator - 6 Popular Solutions

PHP code generators are programs that automatically generate code based on settings and parameters that you choose. The benefit of using a code generator is that they can allow you to save time and money.

Coding with the purpose of accomplishing a particular task can be done either manually, or in certain cases, through the use a generator. Creating code manually can be time-consuming and result in errors. When a good generator is being used, the code can be created in minutes, and you can be near certain that it will run as intended.

As with most coding software, there is a range of options available to you. Along with free and paid PHP code generators, there are also basic and complex generators. There are a number of very good free code generators that will allow you to do things like create basic PHP code for connecting to and editing MySQL databases. If you need something complex, paid generators are available that allow you to create applications, generate web forms, and produce graphs and charts.

What to look for in a PHP code generator

When looking for a code generator, you should consider a few things:

• Do you have a budget to purchase software?
• Do you need more than one person to be able to work on a project at a time?
• How robust do you need features to be?

If you just need to generate code that will produce basic PHP code, you can probably opt for a basic or free code generator.

However, if you intend to use the generator to create advanced forms, manage complex databases or export data to different file types, you're going to probably need to spend some money. Additionally, many free generators will only work with MySQL databases, so you can expect to have to purchase a generator if you're interested in using Oracle, Access or other types of databases.

Additional considerations are if you want your code generator to handle design aspects of your applications. While you can always deal with the layout after the code has been generated, you may find it beneficial and time-saving to have a generator that handles everything at once. If you're just going to be creating intranet applications for business use, you may not be too concerned about how they look.

6 popular PHP code generators

1. Form generator, PHP & MySQL generator

If you're looking for a free PHP code generator, Form Generator, PHP & MySQL Generator is a solid choice. It's fairly bare-bones, but it's great if you're in need of a quick and simple way to generate code to manage MySQL databases. The tool allows you to do things like:

• Create databases
• Edit fields within databases
• Copy, rename and drop tables
• Create and drop procedures and functions
• Run queries and join tables based on query results
• Generate HTML, CSS and MySQL code as well as PHP variables

FPMG is also a pretty decent tool if you're looking to create forms for your site but don't need anything particularly customized. You are able to generate forms from scratch or using a table structure, and the process can be done in under a minute for basic forms.

This PHP code generator is both responsive and web-based, so you can generate code from a PC or smartphone browser. If you're new to generators or PHP, this is a good tool to start with, and the site features a number of examples and tutorials on how to use the code generator.

Support is available through the site, but as a free tool, the creators make no promises as to the level of support or time frames for responses to queries.

2. PHPMyEdit

PHPMyEdit is free and open source under a GNU: General Public License, but there are commercial licenses available if you need one. Commercial licenses can be bought for a yearly rate or a flat rate that gives you a permanent commercial license.

As an essentially free PHP code generator, it does not have as many features as other paid tools, but it can still be a useful tool for generating PHP code for MySQL databases. There isn't any built-in system for designing layouts, so you'll need to create your own templates if you intend to use the code on a public website. For internal business use, this probably isn't necessary.

Features of PHPMyEdit include:

• The ability to add, copy, delete and edit records
• Table lookup, sorting, paging and filtering
• Logging of user actions
• Different levels of user permissions
• Use of a number of navigation styles and the ability to change them using CSS

3. PHPMaker

PHPMaker is an excellent tool if you're looking to create a site that will allow users or employees to access and manage databases on the Internet. The tool allows you to create PHP sites from Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle and PostgreSQL databases.

Sites designed using PHPMaker allow users to view, edit, search and create records. The tool also lets users create accounts, and it enables you to set different access levels for your users. You're able to customize the look of your site via HTML settings or style sheets.

Other features and capabilities of this PHP code generator include:

• Support for Syntactically Awesome StyleSheets
• The ability to set up log and database files to track users
• Email notifications when certain tables or fields are added, edited or deleted
• Column sorting
• Server side validation and/or client side JavaScript validation
• Customizable templates and extensions
• Generation of responsive sites that work on desktops and mobile devices

PHPMaker requires a yearly subscription, but once you've purchased the first subscription, subsequent renewals are generally available at half of the initial subscription price. For the first six months, you have access to free email support, but after that, if you need support, you have to pay for it in three month increments. Volume discounts for multiple software purchases are available.

4. Scriptcase

With Scriptcase, you can build complete systems and generate forms and reports. It is a web-based tool, meaning that you can use it through a browser, and it allows more than one user to access a project at a time if you purchase the enterprise edition. As with most other premium PHP code generators, Scriptcase works with a wide range of databases, including MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL and SQL Server databases.

There are an enormous number of features available with Scriptcase, and it allows you to do things like:

• Create forms, reports, charts, editable grids and calendars
• Export data in a variety of popular formats, including XLS, XML, DOC and PDF
• Generate custom codes and macros based on business rules
• View project diagrams that let you see the relationship between each object
• Create CAPTCHA objects to increase submission security
• Integrate with YouTube, Google Maps and a variety of social media networks
• Connect to multiple databases with one application
• Generate barcodes
• Use a grid that allows you to edit multiple records at the same time

The ability to have multiple people working on projects as well as to use multiple databases makes this PHP code generator a great choice for a business environment. It also allows you to take advantage of a number of features that may be beneficial for websites, such as integration with Google Maps and YouTube, so it is an excellent choice for in-house database management as well as for generating code for a website.

Scriptcase is available in a number of paid versions, allowing you to select the one that works best for your budget and needs. The professional edition is designed for a single developer, and the enterprise edition is for multiple users and lets several people work on the same project. If your needs or requirements grow, they allow you to upgrade your existing license instead of purchasing a new one

5. PHPRunner

PHPRunner uses wizards for creating a number of database driven applications, including forms, grids, reports and charts. It uses a templating engine and allows more than one person to work on the same project. As with most other generators, it supports a variety of database types, including MySQL, MS SQL Server, MS Access, Oracle, just to name a few.

The generator comes with a variety of templates in a range of themes and color schemes, and you can customize them. Application templates include pre-designed shopping carts, calendars and knowledge bases. Each template comes with both a graphical interface and database structure, and you have the ability to change the appearance of applications using either a WYSIWYG visual editor or by editing CSS style sheets.

PHPRunner has a number of features that help you create robust and protected applications, such as:

• The ability to preview your application in a number of ways, including by uploading them to a Demo Account Server
• An SQL editor that gives you the ability preview the results of an SQL statement and to use drag and drop to create joins
• Dynamic permissions that allow you to ensure that members of your team only have the access that they need
• On the fly uploads to directories or databases
• The ability to create linked drop down boxes, so the selection of a previous drop down will determine what's available in the following one
• Along with the large number of built-in templates, there are also three additional template packs
• The ability to password protect your web application, generate CAPTCHA codes and set requirements for password strength for users

Thanks to its collection of features, this PHP code generator is an excellent choice if you're looking to create code for a website. It is also a great choice for intranet database management thanks to the fact that more than one person can work on a project at a time and that multiple users can log in to applications.

The software is available for a flat rate, and there is only one version of PHPRunner. However, you can download a trial of the software, and there are live demos available on the site so you can try out the tool before you purchase it.

6. PHPGenerator

PHP Generator is a code generator that allows you to create scripts that enable you to work with tables through a web-based platform. The code generated by the tool allows you to navigate, edit, sort, filter and export data from MySQL databases. It comes with 25 templates that you can customize, and you are able to set the header and footer for all of your web pages.

There is a free and paid version of PHP Generator. The free version allows you to do basic things, such as add, edit, delete and copy records and upload files to your database. However, if you're wanting to do anything more than the basics, you're going to need the paid version.

The paid version of the software allows you to use the responsive version of the tool, which works on just about any device or browser, and it lets you take advantage of record-level security as well as table-based and database user authentication. Your ability to manipulate data is also much more robust with the paid version. It allows you to export data to PDF, XML, CVS, Excel, and Word formats, delete and compare multiple records and use extended filtering.

Other paid version features include the ability to:

• Create geographical charts
• Add multiple records
• Generate custom form layouts
• Embed videos
• Take advantage of a WYSIWYG editor and a custom editor

The free version of this code generator is probably a solid choice if you just need to generate some code to allow intranet users to manage a database. If you're intending to use your code on the web or to handle advanced database management, the paid version is your best bet.

Summary

Depending on your use-case a PHP code generator may or may not be right for you. For users that need lots of custom functionality, a code generator may not be able to satisfy all of your requirements. However, if you just need to spin up a simple to mediocrely-advanced web application but don't have much experience in PHP, then using code generator is an option.

The solutions in this post are a few popular options you can consider when looking for a PHP code generator. Although they vary in price and functionality, and each one can help you save time and resources by completing tasks faster. Check them out for yourself and compare each one against the requirements you need in order to complete your PHP project.