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DesignPatternsPHP

Sample PHP code showing how classic software design patterns can be implemented.

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Stars
22.2k
Forks
4.5k
Licence
MIT
Language
PHP
Last update
1.8 years ago
Type
Learning resource

No commits in over a year — check for forks or alternatives before adopting.

What it is

This is a collection of well-known software design patterns, each with sample PHP code showing one way to implement it. The README says every pattern comes with a small list of examples, and the code is covered by tests you can run to see what happens. It is mainly meant to help developers learn when to use each pattern, not just how to write it.

  • Read the sample code for a pattern such as Singleton, Observer or Strategy to see one way it can be written in PHP
  • Run the PHPUnit tests to watch each example behave in practice
  • Browse the generated documentation locally with Docker to read explanations side by side with code
  • Use the examples as a reference when discussing trade-offs between patterns with a team

Great for

  • PHP developers learning object-oriented design patterns
  • Students studying software design patterns with working PHP examples
  • Developers who want to compare several implementations of the same pattern
  • Teachers or mentors preparing examples for a team

Not ideal for

  • Developers looking for a ready-to-use library to drop into a production project, since this is sample code rather than a package
  • People who are new to programming in general, since the README assumes familiarity with PHP and Composer
  • Anyone needing a non-English guide, since most translations are listed as not actively supported
Step-by-step guide: how to use DesignPatternsPHPInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

How to get it

  1. 1

    Clone and build from source

    You'll need: PHP 8.x · Composer

    Install dependencies with Composer

    composer install

    Run the tests with PHPUnit

    ./vendor/bin/phpunit
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Clone the repository and open its folder in a terminal
    • Run composer install to fetch dependencies
    • Run ./vendor/bin/phpunit to execute the tests
    • Open a pattern folder such as Creational/Singleton to read its example code
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Read the full documentation on Read the Docs, linked from the README, alongside the code
    • Use the optional Docker setup with docker-compose up --build to browse the generated docs at localhost:8080
    • Follow the README's advice to focus on why a pattern fits a situation rather than only how to implement it
    • Check the Localization table if you want documentation in another language, noting which versions are maintained

Downloads

Source code (.zip)main branch · straight from GitHub

Strengths

  • Covers a broad set of patterns grouped into Creational, Structural, Behavioral and More categories
  • Each example is paired with tests you can run to verify behavior
  • The README stresses understanding trade-offs and when to apply each pattern, not only how to implement it

Trade-offs

  • It is sample code, so it does not offer a library or framework to build on directly
  • Most translated documentation is not actively maintained, and the README says so openly
  • The README is light on detail about the PHP version requirements beyond the description's mention of PHP 8.x

How it compares

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DesignPatternsPHP (this)22.2kLearning resourcebeginner1.8 years agoPHP developers learning object-oriented design patterns
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CodeIgniter18.2kFrameworkintermediate2.3 years agoPHP developers who want a framework with a relatively small footprint
modular-monolith-with-ddd14.1kLearning resourceadvanced2.4 years agoDevelopers learning Domain-Driven Design tactical patterns in C#
awesome-scalability75.3kCurated listbeginner10 months agoEngineers preparing for system design interviews
composer29.6kDev toolbeginner4 days agoPHP developers starting a new project who want standard third-party libraries

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.