What are the best practices for integrating and utilizing external frameworks in PHP development projects?

When integrating external frameworks in PHP development projects, it is important to follow best practices to ensure smooth integration and utilization. One key practice is to thoroughly read the documentation of the framework to understand its features and how to properly integrate it into your project. Additionally, it is recommended to keep the framework up to date by regularly checking for updates and implementing them in your project. Lastly, testing the integration thoroughly to ensure compatibility and functionality is crucial before deploying the project.

// Example of integrating an external framework (e.g. Laravel) into a PHP project

// Step 1: Install the framework using Composer
composer create-project --prefer-dist laravel/laravel my-project

// Step 2: Configure the framework by setting up database connections, routes, and other necessary configurations

// Step 3: Utilize the framework by creating controllers, models, views, and routes according to the framework's conventions

// Step 4: Test the integration by running the project locally and checking for any errors or issues