Goodbye CakePHP

It’s been a long journey and it has finally come to an end. Due to professional changes in my life, it is time that I stop using a PHP based MVC framework for web applications. Where will I go, you ask? Its simple – Ruby on Rails! While the aim of this post is to not convert people who use CakePHP to start using something else, I do plan on elaborating some of my reasonings for this switch.
1. My New Job
It cannot make much more sense than this. I recently got a new job (started Feb 1st). The place I work is a pure ruby shop and support several financial based web applications. I had 10 days to learn the syntax/basics of Ruby and loved every minute of it. I was ready for something new and fresh in my life.
2. Maturity
Rails was first! As a result, the project has matured more and seems to have a lot more support.
3. Package / Plugin management
Ruby has RubyGems, which is amazing. CakePHP just released something to handle plugins, but I have a feeling it is not a full package manager (think apt!).
4. Other Little Differences
Several small differences make it a better choice. I found a recent presentation that quickly explains a few of them.
That being said, PHP with CakePHP and Ruby with Rails both have their pros and cons. Each framework will always have its place in my heart. Hopefully I will have time soon to setup a rails environment and start pushing through some personal projects! Until then, I will continue gaining experience at work whilst I triage the problems that I was hired to fix