Routing, MVC, REST APIs, JSON Responses, and Application Architecture
Move from simple files to structured PHP applications using routing and layered architecture ideas.
Inside this chapter
- From Script Files to Structured Apps
- MVC Thinking
- REST API Response Example
- Routing Concepts
- Architecture Example
Series navigation
Study the chapters in order for the clearest path from PHP basics to backend architecture, security, deployment, and production engineering habits. Use the navigation at the bottom to move smoothly through the full tutorial series.
From Script Files to Structured Apps
As projects grow, keeping all logic inside a few PHP pages becomes difficult. Teams typically introduce routing, controllers, service classes, repositories, views, and configuration boundaries.
MVC Thinking
- Model: Data access and domain rules
- View: Presentation or response formatting
- Controller: Request handling and coordination
MVC is not the only architecture, but it is a widely used way to separate concerns in PHP frameworks and custom applications.
REST API Response Example
header('Content-Type: application/json');
echo json_encode(array("status" => "ok", "data" => $records));Modern PHP is often used to power APIs consumed by JavaScript frontends, mobile apps, and third-party integrations.
Routing Concepts
Routing maps URLs and HTTP methods to application logic. Instead of one file per page, a router can dispatch requests to specific handlers such as /users, /orders/{id}, or /api/reports.
Architecture Example
An internal payroll system might use controllers for request handling, services for salary logic, repositories for database operations, and JSON APIs for frontend dashboards. This layered design reduces chaos as features expand.