**Course Title:** Mastering Zend Framework (Laminas): Building Robust Web Applications **Section Title:** Introduction to Zend Framework (Laminas) and Development Setup **Topic:** Exploring the directory structure and configuration files. Now that you have set up your development environment and understood the MVC architecture in Laminas, it's time to dive into the directory structure and configuration files that make up a typical Laminas application. **Understanding the Directory Structure** A standard Laminas application is organized into the following directories: * `application/`: This directory contains the core code of your application, including modules, configurations, and assets. * `config/`: This directory stores global configuration files, including the main `application.config.php` file. * `data/`: This directory is used for storing data, such as cache files, logs, and uploaded files. * `module/`: This directory contains individual modules that make up your application. Each module has its own `module.config.php` file. * `public/`: This directory serves as the document root for your application. It contains the `index.php` file, which is the entry point for your application. * `vendor/`: This directory contains third-party dependencies installed via Composer. **Exploring the Configuration Files** Configuration files in Laminas are written in PHP and are used to define settings and options for your application. The main configuration files are: * `application.config.php`: This file is the main configuration file for your application. It defines global settings, such as the application name, timezone, and database connections. * `module.config.php`: Each module has its own configuration file, which defines module-specific settings and routes. Let's take a closer look at the `application.config.php` file: ```php return [ 'display_exceptions' => 1, 'modules' => [ 'Application', 'Laminas\Mail', 'Laminas\Db', ], 'module_listener_options' => [ 'config_key' => 'laminas', 'config_merged' => [], 'module_paths' => [ './module', './vendor', ], ], 'laminas' => [ 'configuration' => [ 'paths' => [ 'config' => [], 'cache' => [], 'logs' => [], ], ], ], ]; ``` This file defines the global settings for your application, including the modules to load and configuration paths. **Key Concepts** * The directory structure of a standard Laminas application is organized into `application/`, `config/`, `data/`, `module/`, `public/`, and `vendor/` directories. * Configuration files are written in PHP and define settings and options for your application. * The `application.config.php` file is the main configuration file for your application. **Example Use Case** Suppose you want to add a new module to your application. You would create a new directory in the `module/` directory, with a `module.config.php` file that defines the module's settings and routes. You would then add the module to the `modules` array in the `application.config.php` file. For example, let's say you want to add a new module called `Blog`. You would create a new directory called `Blog` in the `module/` directory, with a `module.config.php` file that defines the module's settings and routes: ```php return [ 'controllers' => [ 'factories' => [ 'Blog\Controller\IndexController' => 'Blog\Controller\IndexControllerFactory', ], ], 'router' => [ 'routes' => [ 'blog' => [ 'type' => 'literal', 'options' => [ 'route' => '/blog', 'defaults' => [ 'controller' => 'Blog\Controller\IndexController', 'action' => 'index', ], ], ], ], ], ]; ``` You would then add the `Blog` module to the `modules` array in the `application.config.php` file: ```php return [ // ... 'modules' => [ 'Application', 'Laminas\Mail', 'Laminas\Db', 'Blog', ], // ... ]; ``` **Conclusion** In this topic, we explored the directory structure and configuration files of a standard Laminas application. We learned about the different directories that make up a Laminas application, including `application/`, `config/`, `data/`, `module/`, `public/`, and `vendor/`. We also learned about the configuration files that define settings and options for your application, including `application.config.php` and `module.config.php`. Finally, we saw an example of how to add a new module to a Laminas application. **What's Next?** In the next topic, we will cover defining and managing routes in Laminas. **External Resources:** * Laminas Documentation: [https://docs.laminas.dev/](https://docs.laminas.dev/) * Laminas GitHub Repository: [https://github.com/laminas/laminas-mvc](https://github.com/laminas/laminas-mvc) **Have Questions or Need Help?** Leave a comment below with your question or concern. We'll do our best to help you out.