Laravel 10 Features & Updates: What’s New for Developers

Laravel 10 is finally here, and it's all PHP developers hoped for and more. With a heritage of easing web development, Laravel remains the most renowned PHP framework. But what's new in Laravel 10 that sets it apart?

Laravel 10, released on February 14, 2023, features several enhancements that improve performance, enhance developer efficiency, and align with modern coding standards. From native-type declarations to Laravel Pennant for feature flagging, this edition is jam-packed with innovation. If you want to learn about the most recent Laravel 10 features, as well as how they affect real-world development, you've come to the right place.

Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started, explore this guide for all the Laravel 10 improvements and release highlights that are shaping the future of PHP development.

When Should You Start Thinking About Upgrading to Laravel 10?

With the Laravel 10 release highlights creating some excitement in the developer community, the question now is: Should you upgrade to Laravel 10 right away?

When a new version becomes available, the process of upgrading is not always mandatory. Laravel operates as an open-source framework that enables total code control after installation. Your application will remain operational after the update installation so you can continue using it; however, you must increase your maintenance responsibility when working with older versions.

Consider upgrading to Laravel 10 when: 

• Your application is stable and no longer experiencing significant difficulties.
• You need to use one of the Laravel 10 enhancements or bug fixes to improve the app.
• You extensively test the application before deploying changes to production. 

Laravel 10: New Features and Updates

Each new iteration of a technology or framework means new possibilities. The latest Laravel 10 update offers some important enhancements for developer productivity. Let's explore the most impactful changes and what they mean for contemporary web development.

Laravel Pennant: Simplifying Feature Flag Management

It is a new first-party package added to the Laravel 10 features that simplify the management of feature flags in applications. Developers can quickly toggle features on and off without modifying the source code. These complex capabilities set the way for more secure deployments and gradual feature rollouts, as well as easier A/B testing and release management. 

Minimum Requirements for PHP 8.1

Laravel 10 has officially dropped support for PHP 8.0. Thus, it requires having the latest version of PHP installed-above PHP 8.1. This version comes with serious performance enhancements, giving a chance for application-level speed and efficiency. Developers should ensure their environments and servers satisfy this requirement because the benefits are worth having: cutting-edge language features, great performance, and increased security. 

Native Type Declarations 

The Laravel 10 improvements include the incorporation of native-type declarations in its stubs and generated code. This enhancement increases code clarity, reduces type-related errors, and strengthens static analysis capabilities. Therefore, it enhances code documentation so that developers can clearly understand the expected data types for function parameters and return values. Due to such improvements, the code becomes easier to maintain and is less prone to errors.

Pest Testing by Default

Laravel 10 has replaced PHPUnit with Pest as the default testing framework. Developers will adopt the test-driven development (TDD) technique because of this change which will improve the robustness and reliability of their applications.

Managing Time-Series Data with CarbonImmutable

Laravel 10 enhances the handling of time-series data by using CarbonImmutable as the default for date and time operations. CarbonImmutable objects are, by design, immutable, so instances cannot be altered once created. As these objects are immutable, developers get predictability from their code; hence unforeseen bugs do not occur due to accidental changes in the code. This factor is especially vital while performing complex time calculations or in concurrent environments.

New Where Clauses in Laravel 10

Three novel database queries where clauses became introduced in Laravel 10: whereNotBetween, whereNotNull, and whereNull. Through these enhancements, developers now possess the ability to create database queries using shorter expressions that are more descriptive—the addition of these new where clauses shorten the database query development process while making code comprehension better. Additionally, they allow for a simpler expression of commonly used query conditions.

Routing

Laravel 10 brings significant improvements in routing efficiency. The number of method calls has been significantly reduced, as has the accessibility of properties. Ultimately lowering the overhead and boosting the speed. In Laravel 10, route caching allows you to pre-compile routes into a single file, which helps you manage incoming requests more effectively. 

Streamlined Task Management with Cron Expressions 

Laravel 10 provides enhanced support for Cron expressions, making it easier than ever to manage scheduled activities. Developers can create complex scheduling rules using the familiar Cron syntax, providing them with more freedom and control over background operations. This innovation enables the automation of routine processes, thereby enhancing application efficiency. 

Better Performance with the JIT compiler 

Laravel 10 utilizes Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation to significantly enhance speed. Compiling frequently used code portions at runtime results in faster execution times and lower latency. This improvement substantially enhances the adaptability of Laravel's framework, enabling users who prefer NoSQL databases to leverage its rich features without compromising functionality. 

Compatibility with MongoDB

Native MongoDB support in Laravel 10 allows developers to quickly integrate this esteemed NoSQL database into their projects, reducing the need for complex third-party packages. This upgrade significantly enhances Laravel's versatility as a framework, enabling users who prefer NoSQL solutions to fully leverage its exceptional capabilities without making any compromises. 

Protection of Applications

One of the primary issues for every application is security. Specific changes to Laravel 10 have strengthened the security functionality. The latest version has implemented a content security policy to reduce data theft and other malicious attacks. Instead of saving passwords as plain text in the database, Laravel 10 protects them by way of a hashed-and-salted password technique.

Conclusion 

The Laravel 10 release features robust enhancements and updates that significantly enhance developer productivity, efficiency, and flexibility in modern web development. Laravel 10 features, such as Laravel Pennant, native type declarations, and improved job scheduling, enable developers to create more efficient and scalable apps. These Laravel 10 features simplify workflows and maintain code quality, making it easier to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech industry. Are you looking for experienced web app development services? Innoraft provides customized digital solutions to improve the functioning of your business platform.