edX Online

Learn Symfony with online courses and programs

Symfony is a free, open-source PHP web framework that can help developers build reliable web applications. Learn how to use Symfony for efficient web development with online courses delivered through edX.

What is Symfony?

Symfony is an open-source PHP framework and collection of reusable components used for building robust and complex web applications. ‌It includes tools to help developers build, test, and maintain applications. Symfony follows the model–view–controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which structures apps into three connected parts:1

  • The model, which handles data and database-related tasks

  • The view, which represents how the data is presented to the user

  • The controller, which handles the logic between the model and the view

Developers who use Symfony can also benefit from a large, active community. Contributors support new users and ensure the framework keeps up with the latest trends. Web developers of all levels can use Symfony in their work to make applications scalable and maximize their efficiency.

Browse online Symfony Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Related Topics

Symfony tutorial curriculum

For users new to learning Symfony, an entry-level Symfony course can cover foundational topics, such as MVC architecture and how to install Symfony on your local machine. You might then learn how to build your first Symfony application, with accompanying lessons on how to:

  • Use routes to manage user input and create controllers to handle varying user requests.
  • Work with Doctrine‌, the official Symfony object-relational mapper (ORM). This may also include aspects like creating, reading, and deleting database operations.
  • Use Twig, the default templating engine in Symfony, to create secure and reusable views.
  • Implement security in Symfony, including user authentication, encoding and decoding, and implementing permissions to authorize and restrict access to different parts of the application.
  • Create, render, and validate forms, handle ‌submission of forms, and work with data from the controllers and views.
  • Use Symfony to integrate with a PHP testing framework. The course may also cover how to handle errors in Symfony and how to provide better error messages.

Learning how to use Symfony can supplement your knowledge of software development and computer science. edX offers a variety of educational opportunities for learners interested in studying these topics. A coding boot camp can provide flexible, hands-on learning for those who want to gain relevant industry skills quickly, while executive education courses are designed for busy professional schedules. You can also pursue a more comprehensive curriculum in a bachelor’s degree program or, for more advanced learners, a master’s degree program. Find the right learning path for you.

Explore jobs that use Symfony

Many professionals, including web developers, cybersecurity specialists, and software engineers, use Symfony to develop secure, fast, complete, and robust web applications and customized IT solutions. Paired with specialized knowledge, experience with Symfony can be helpful for a number of job roles, including:

  • Software developer: Builds and maintains software, such as Symfony web-based applications. This can include tasks like designing web interfaces and working with a database to develop the application’s back end.2 Employers might seek out Symfony developers who specialize in this framework specifically.
  • Cybersecurity specialist: Detects and prevents web attacks and security vulnerabilities, like SQL injection and cross-site scripting. They may help ensure the security of web applications, including those developed with Symfony.3
  • Cryptographer: Develops secure communication protocols and implements encryption and decryption algorithms to protect data against unauthorized access. This is vital to any website or application that handles sensitive information, such as financial data or personal records.4
  • Technical lead: Oversees projects, manages a team of developers, and ensures projects meet requirements and are delivered on time. The role requires a deep understanding of technical tools such as the Symfony framework and how the various components work.5

Each of these roles will have different educational and skill requirements. For example, you may be able to build relevant skills in a boot camp. However, some employers may seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar topic, depending on the role. Before deciding on a specific learning path, research the positions you hope to pursue and align your coursework with your career goals.

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Symfony used for?

    Symfony is a popular PHP framework with various tools and components used for building web applications. It's used to create new web applications from scratch or modify existing ones. It has features that can be integrated into other PHP frameworks like Laravel and Silex to build faster and more robust applications. Symfony PHP can also be used to construct RESTFUL APIs and web services integrated into an application's front-end.

    What are the benefits of Symfony?

    Symfony offers numerous benefits, including high performance, flexibility, and a large developer community. With its extensive range of features and components, Symfony empowers developers to build flexible applications. Using caching and other optimization techniques, Symfony enhances application performance, ensuring faster execution. The framework's inherent flexibility allows for the efficient development of application features by leveraging its reusable Symfony components and bundles. Additionally, Symfony boasts a thriving online active community, providing beginners with ample resources and support to easily dive into the framework and kickstart their development journey.

    Is it challenging to learn Symfony?

    Learning Symfony may be more or less difficult, depending on an individual's experience with programming and other web tools. For those with experience with HTML, CSS, and PHP, learning the Symfony framework might be relatively easy. However, for beginners, getting started with Symfony might be challenging. There are plenty of resources available, including Symfony tutorials and courses that can help you learn the framework. You can also check out the extensive Symfony documentation and tap into the large, active online developer community for guidance on how to learn Symfony.

    What is the Symfony framework?

    Symfony is an open-source web framework designed to build robust and scalable applications. It has many components that produce different features, such as routing, templating, database integration, and others that can be used to build efficient applications. It follows the model–view–controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which lets users separate the application logic from the presentation layer.

    1. MVC Design Pattern. GeeksforGeeks. Retrieved May 17, 2023.

    2. Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook. Retrieved June 13, 2021.

    3. Cybersecurity Consultant: Career Outlook. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook. Retrieved May 17, 2023.

    4. How To Become a Cryptographer. (2022). Indeed. Retrieved May 17, 2023.

    5. A Guide to Technical Leads. (2022). Indeed. Retrieved May 16, 2023.