What is the best way to structure a PHP library of classes using submodules?

Structuring a PHP library with submodules can help organize and maintain a large codebase. Here's a general guideline you can follow: Namespace Usage: Utilize namespaces to avoid naming conflicts. For example, if your library is named "MyLibrary," you might structure it like MyLibrary\Submodule1, MyLibrary\Submodule2, etc. Use autoloaders or Composer's autoloading capabilities to simplify class loading. Directory Structure: Create a directory for each submodule. For example: markdown /MyLibrary /Submodule1 Class1.php Class2.php /Submodule2 Class3.php Class4.php /Utils HelperFunctions.php Composer Integration: If your library is intended for use by others, consider integrating it with Composer. Define a composer.json file for your library and specify autoloading rules. PSR Standards: Follow PSR-4 autoloading standards for namespaces and directory structures. This ensures compatibility with Composer and other PHP tools. PSR-1 and PSR-2 coding standards can also improve code consistency. Separation of Concerns: Organize classes based on their responsibilities. Each submodule should have a specific focus or functionality. Avoid tightly coupling modules to each other. Dependency Injection: Encourage dependency injection to make your classes more modular and testable. Avoid hard dependencies between submodules. Documentation: Include clear and comprehensive documentation for each submodule, including how to use it and any dependencies. Document the purpose and usage of the library as a whole. Testing: Implement unit tests for each submodule to ensure they function correctly in isolation. Consider integration tests to validate the collaboration between submodules. Versioning: Implement versioning for your library. This can be done using Git tags, Composer versioning, or other versioning tools. Examples and Samples: Include example scripts or use cases demonstrating how to use your library's submodules. Remember that the specific structure may vary based on the nature of your library, its complexity, and the conventions of your team or community. Always aim for simplicity, maintainability, and clarity in your code organization. read less