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Guide · Open source

How to use DesignPatternsPHP: run the examples and learn each pattern

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

DesignPatternsPHP is an MIT-licensed collection of well-known software design patterns, each with sample PHP code showing one way to implement it. This guide is for PHP developers and students who want to learn when to apply each pattern. By the end you will know how to install the project, run its tests, and find the pattern examples you want to study.

DesignPatternsPHPDesignPatternsPHP/DesignPatternsPHP · ★ 22.2k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Clone the repository. Download the DesignPatternsPHP source from its GitHub repository to your machine. Make sure PHP 8.x and Composer are installed.
  2. 2Install dependencies. Open a terminal in the project folder and run composer install.
  3. 3Run the tests. Run ./vendor/bin/phpunit to execute the tests and see what each example does.
  4. 4Pick a pattern. Choose a pattern from the Creational, Structural, Behavioral or More categories.
  5. 5Read the examples. Open the pattern folder and read its examples alongside the linked Wikipedia explanation.
  6. 6Compare trade-offs. Ask why each pattern would be chosen over the alternatives, not only how it is written.

What DesignPatternsPHP is and who it is for

The project is a set of sample code, not a library. Each design pattern has a small list of examples showing how it can be implemented in PHP 8.x.

The README is clear about its purpose: the problem with patterns is often that people know them but do not know when to apply which one. Each pattern has trade-offs, and the author suggests paying more attention to why you choose a pattern than to how to implement it.

  • Good for PHP developers learning object-oriented design patterns
  • Good for students who want working PHP examples
  • Good for comparing several implementations of the same pattern
  • Good for teachers or mentors preparing team examples
  • Not a ready-to-use package for a production project

What you need before you start

The README lists PHP 8.x and Composer as prerequisites. It also assumes familiarity with PHP and Composer, so it is not a first course in programming.

  • PHP 8.x
  • Composer

Install dependencies and run the tests

Clone the repository, then open a terminal in the project folder. Install the dependencies with Composer. The README says you should run and read the tests, because they show what happens in each example.

After Composer finishes, run PHPUnit from the vendor folder to execute the tests.

$ composer install $ ./vendor/bin/phpunit

Browse the patterns by category

The patterns are grouped into three categories, plus a More folder. Each name links to its own example folder in the repository. Each entry also has a link to a Wikipedia article for a full explanation of the pattern.

Creational patterns cover how objects are created, including AbstractFactory, Builder, FactoryMethod, Pool, Prototype, SimpleFactory, Singleton and StaticFactory.

Structural patterns cover how classes and objects are composed, including Adapter, Bridge, Composite, DataMapper, Decorator, DependencyInjection, Facade, FluentInterface, Flyweight, Proxy and Registry.

Behavioral patterns cover how objects communicate, including ChainOfResponsibilities, Command, Interpreter, Iterator, Mediator, Memento, NullObject, Observer, Specification, State, Strategy, TemplateMethod and Visitor.

The More folder holds EAV, Repository and ServiceLocator.

  • Creational: AbstractFactory, Builder, FactoryMethod, Pool, Prototype, SimpleFactory, Singleton, StaticFactory
  • Structural: Adapter, Bridge, Composite, DataMapper, Decorator, DependencyInjection, Facade, FluentInterface, Flyweight, Proxy, Registry
  • Behavioral: ChainOfResponsibilities, Command, Interpreter, Iterator, Mediator, Memento, NullObject, Observer, Specification, State, Strategy, TemplateMethod, Visitor
  • More: EAV, Repository, ServiceLocator

Read the documentation locally with Docker (optional)

The README describes an optional Docker setup for building and browsing the generated documentation. Run docker-compose up --build, then open http://localhost:8080/ in your browser.

To build the documentation in another language, the README shows a language build argument. Be aware that most translations are listed as not actively supported, so check the table before relying on one.

  • Translations marked YES in the table are the only ones listed as actively supported; the rest are kept as-is and not updated with the English base
$ docker-compose up --build $ docker-compose build --build-arg language=de $ docker-compose up

Get the most from the examples

Do not stop at reading the code. Run the tests, then change an example and see what breaks. Compare two implementations of the same pattern to understand the trade-offs.

The README stresses that the reason for choosing a pattern matters more than the implementation details. Use each example to ask what problem the pattern solves and what it costs.

  • Run the tests for one pattern and read the test to see the expected behavior
  • Compare patterns that solve similar problems, such as Strategy and State
  • Write down the trade-off you would accept before choosing a pattern

What people use it for

  • Learning when to use the Strategy or State pattern by comparing their examples
  • Preparing a team workshop with working PHP examples of common patterns
  • Studying how the Repository and DataMapper patterns differ in a university course
  • Comparing several implementations of Singleton or Factory patterns before writing your own

Frequently asked questions

Is DesignPatternsPHP free to use?

Yes, the project is released under the MIT licence, as stated in the project information. Check the LICENSE file in the repository for the full terms.

What do I need to run DesignPatternsPHP?

You need PHP 8.x and Composer. Install the dependencies with composer install, then run the tests with ./vendor/bin/phpunit.

Can I use DesignPatternsPHP as a library in my production project?

No, it is sample code rather than a package. The README does not present it as a library, so copy ideas and carefully adapt them rather than dropping the code in.

Do I need to know PHP before using it?

Yes, the README assumes familiarity with PHP and Composer. Beginners should learn basic PHP first, then return to these examples.

Is there a non-English version of the guide?

Translations exist for many languages, but the README lists most as not actively supported. Only English and Bulgarian are marked YES in the table, so check that table before using another language.

What are alternatives to DesignPatternsPHP?

The project lists comparable options: the refactoring-guru design patterns PHP examples, php-design-patterns/php-design-patterns, and ashleydavis/design-patterns-php. Compare their examples to find the style you prefer.

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Our verdict

DesignPatternsPHP suits PHP developers, students and teachers who want runnable examples of many design patterns and a focus on when to use them. It is not suitable if you need a ready-made library for production code, or if you are new to PHP and Composer. For a production package, look elsewhere.

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