OpenLampTech - Developer Interview with Asfia Aiman
Laravel developer Asfia Aiman shares valuable knowledge and insight for the Laravel, PHP, and SQL communities.
Welcome to this OpenLampTech text-based developer interview.
Laravel developer Asfia Aiman discusses Laravel development, the Modx CRM, important SQL knowledge, and a whole lot more in this newsletter issue.
Needless to say that I am super-excited Asfia agreed to participate in this developer interview for the OpenLampTech readers.
And now without any further adieu, on to the interview.
Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us what you currently do for a living.
My name is Asfia Aiman, hailing from Pakistan. I am a passionate Laravel developer who enjoys coding, bike riding, as well as photography, and videography.
Q: What PHP framework(s) and/or CMS(s) are you interested in the most or currently using and why?
I am currently using Laravel and Modx CRM.
Laravel is a widely acclaimed PHP framework known for its elegant syntax, robust features, and developer-friendly environment. It provides various tools, libraries, and conventions to streamline web development tasks, making it a popular choice for building modern, scalable web applications.
On the other hand, MODX is a flexible and open-source Content Management System (CMS) that empowers users to create and manage websites efficiently. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and extensibility through various plugins, making it an excellent option for content-driven websites.
By using Laravel and MODX together, you likely benefit from the best of both worlds - a powerful PHP framework for handling backend logic and a versatile CMS for managing and delivering content. This combination can help you create dynamic, feature-rich websites with ease and maintain them effectively in the long run.
Q: Do you think it is important for developers to know some SQL and not rely solely on an ORM? Why or why not?
Absolutely! Understanding SQL and not solely relying on an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) is vital for developers for several reasons:
SQL is specifically designed for interacting with databases, allowing developers to write optimized queries for better performance. ORMs might not always generate the most efficient queries for complex scenarios.
Knowledge of SQL enables developers to analyze and optimize queries, leading to faster data retrieval and reduced database server load.
SQL provides features like joins, subqueries, and aggregations for complex data manipulations and reporting tasks, which might not be easily achievable with an ORM alone.
SQL knowledge is invaluable for identifying and resolving database-related issues or performance bottlenecks by examining the actual queries executed.
ORMs simplify development, but they may have limitations and not support specific database features. SQL knowledge allows developers to handle unique requirements and tailor queries to match specific use cases.
SQL is a standard language used across different database systems, enabling effective communication with database administrators and team members.
Familiarity with SQL allows developers to work with various database technologies, as SQL syntax remains consistent across platforms.
In conclusion, a well-rounded developer should possess both ORM skills and a strong foundation in SQL to create efficient and scalable applications.
Q: What is one piece of software that you just cannot live without and why?
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a highly popular and powerful code editor developed by Microsoft and I cannot live without it. It has gained widespread adoption among developers, including Laravel developers, due to several reasons:
VS Code offers a wide range of extensions tailored to enhance the Laravel development experience. These extensions provide features like Laravel syntax highlighting, snippets, debugging support, and integration with various Laravel tools and packages.
VS Code provides intelligent code suggestions and autocompletion, which accelerates coding by offering quick access to Laravel's classes, methods, and functions.
VS Code includes a built-in terminal, allowing Laravel developers to run commands directly within the editor. This feature is convenient for executing Laravel Artisan commands, running server instances, or executing various scripts without switching to a separate terminal window.
VS Code seamlessly integrates with Git, enabling developers to perform version control tasks like committing, pulling, pushing, and managing branches directly from the editor.
VS Code offers robust debugging capabilities for Laravel applications. Laravel developers can set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code to identify and fix issues efficiently.
With the help of extensions, VS Code allows Laravel developers to use code snippets for common tasks, accelerating the development process.
VS Code provides built-in support for code formatting and linting, ensuring that Laravel code adheres to coding standards and remains clean and consistent.
VS Code's popularity has fostered a thriving community. Laravel developers can find abundant online resources, tutorials, and discussions related to Laravel development in VS Code, making it easier to learn and improve their skills.
VS Code is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility and compatibility for developers on different operating systems.
Microsoft actively maintains and updates VS Code with regular feature enhancements, bug fixes, and performance improvements, ensuring a robust and reliable development environment.
Q: You type all of your code in which IDE/Text Editor/Software?
In VSCode, which I have explained in the above question.
Q: How has working as a web developer/designer/professional benefited you other than the obvious paycheck and monetary value?
It has given me a sense of fulfillment and achievement by making myself more confident. It has played a role in improving my analytical skills and critical thinking.
Q: What hobbies or activities do you do for fun?
Well! I travel on bike all across Pakistan capturing the moments with my cameras and sharing them on my social media pages. Moreover, I listen to music, watch movies and read books.
Q: Do you have a book, newsletter, blog, podcast, or other resource you would recommend to other developers who are learning to code?
Well! It is my LinkedIn profile where I write about Coding especially about Laravel Development. The link to my LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/asfia-aiman/.
Q: Where can readers go to learn more about you and any projects you may have going?
Everything can be reached at my LinkedIn account. Please see the link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asfia-aiman/.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add or share with the OpenLampTech readers?
No, not right now
Thank you, Asfia Aiman for sharing your knowledge and insights with the OpenLampTech newsletter readers!
Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great rest of your week.
Take care.
Josh Otwell