Starting with Laravel: What is the Best Way to Learn Laravel (or anything)?
There exist multiple learning styles. So, initially, I would say that does not exist a unique and only way to learn something (including Laravel of course).
(Follow me on Twitter for tips and ideas on Laravel and Web Development)
I will start with the end. There is no “universal” way to learn Laravel (or anything) and it completely depends on you BUT there are, definitively, ways to NOT learn something, especially Laravel and programming related topics.
“Programming is learned by programming”, so if you want to learn Laravel, just start creating a project, right? Well… That is going to work in the long ride (eventually) and represents a good way to start but you will suffer maybe a little if you do not use a good approach.
The problem with just starting learning by doing is that you probably will kill yourself by creating a mega project with Laravel “just to learn”. That is even worst as you probably will finish doing the wrong things from the beginning (because you don’t know what you don’t know).
So, how to learn Laravel?
Well, effectively: create a project, but focus on Laravel, NOT in the project! Let me specify. To create a regular Laravel project you will need, at least:
- Routes
- Models
- Controllers
- Views
Of course, there is much much more, but let’s focus on the fundamental things at least.
If you want to learn Laravel by creating, for example, an eShop 😋, you will need routes: to create products, add products to cart, etc. correct? That is good. BUT… The focus should NOT be the routes for the eShop, it should be the routes itself, DOT.
Yes! If you learn to create the routes, you will create the routes for your eShop, BUT for your blog, and your portfolio and your admin panel and for, and for, and for… (you got it, right?).
The recommendation? Start your project BUT focused on learning not in just finishing it AND follow the documentation, that is your holy grail.
I know, the documentation is huge! There should be another way, right? For sure, there are different ways. You can follow courses online, articles, videos, BUT be sure to follow those that are focused on your learning, in showing how the thinks work; NOT only how to create specific thinks without explaining the essentials.
Unfortunately, there exist tons and tons of resources focused on only showing how to create specific things directly to the solution, without showing the path and the process behind. Interestingly, those are the most consumed contents because those are reducing the pain, BUT, in the end, you won’t learn with enough depth and will be unsure of how to apply those “learnings” in different contexts.
In conclusion:
Find your path, but do not rush at all. Follow the docs, or articles, courses, videos BUT be sure those are focused on the concepts and essences or at least focus your own on that!
Finally, I am very aware of those differences on the good and not so good ways to learn Laravel, and I wanted to provide a solution. I created a course on learning Laravel from scratch focused on Laravel and not only on creating something. Of course, I know, creating something is important as well, so you will see how to apply every of those Laravel’s features for an eShop project with Laravel. Just take a look at the course 😊.
Let me know your thoughts.
Best wishes and happy learning!
