Quickstarters
How to Build a Basic CRUD App with PHP?

34min
Introduction
In this guide, you'll learn how to develop a complete PHP application that performs Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) operations. 
By leveraging the Parse PHP SDK with your Back4app project, you'll be able to seamlessly manage data and integrate robust backend features into your PHP app. 
This tutorial covers everything from initializing your project and designing your data model to building secure PHP scripts for handling CRUD operations.
This comprehensive walkthrough ensures that you create a production-ready application with secure user authentication, efficient data management, and an intuitive admin interface.
Key Takeaways
Understand how to construct CRUD operations using PHP alongside a backend service.
Acquire hands-on experience in designing a scalable data model.
Learn how to utilize an intuitive admin panel to manage your backend effortlessly.
Get acquainted with deployment strategies including containerization for your PHP application.
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Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
A Back4app account with a new project set up.
Visit Getting Started with Back4app if you need assistance.
A PHP development environment.
Ensure you have PHP 7.4 or later installed along with a suitable web server setup.
Basic knowledge of PHP, HTML, and REST APIs.
Refer to the PHP Manual for further information.
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Step 1 – Project Setup
Starting Your Back4app Project
Log in to your Back4app account.
Click the “New App” button on your dashboard.
Name your project: Basic-CRUD-App-PHP and follow the instructions to create it.
Create New Project
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Once created, your new project will be visible on your dashboard, serving as the backbone for your PHP CRUD application.
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Step 2 – Crafting Your Data Model
Designing Your Schema
For this application, you'll define several classes directly in your backend. The examples below illustrate the classes and fields you should set up using the Back4app dashboard.
1. Items Class
This class holds details for every item.
Field
Type
Explanation
_id
ObjectId
Auto-generated unique identifier.
title
String
The name of the item.
description
String
A short overview of the item.
created_at
Date
Time when the item was created.
updated_at
Date
Time when the item was last modified.
2. Users Class
This class manages user details and authentication.
Field
Type
Explanation
_id
ObjectId
Auto-generated unique identifier.
username
String
A unique identifier for the user.
email
String
The user's email address.
password_hash
String
Securely stored hashed password.
created_at
Date
Timestamp when the account was created.
updated_at
Date
Timestamp for the latest account update.
You can manually create these classes in your Back4app dashboard by adding new classes and specifying the appropriate fields.
Create New Class
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Simply choose the desired data type, set the field name, and determine whether it’s required or has a default value.
Create Column
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Step 3 – Admin Panel & CRUD Operations in PHP
Overview of the Admin Interface
The Back4app Admin App provides an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface for managing your backend data. This tool lets you perform CRUD operations effortlessly without extra code.
Activating the Admin App
Navigate to the “More” menu in your Back4app dashboard.
Select “Admin App” and then click “Enable Admin App.”
Configure your admin account by creating your first administrative user, which also sets up default roles.
Enable Admin App
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After activation, log into the Admin App to manage your classes and execute CRUD operations.
Admin App Dashboard
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Within this panel you can:
Add New Records: Insert new entries into classes like Items.
View and Modify Records: Click on a record to see its details or update its fields.
Delete Records: Remove records that are no longer required.
This intuitive interface greatly simplifies the task of managing your backend data.
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Step 4 – Connecting PHP with Your Backend
Now that your backend is configured, it's time to link your PHP application using the Parse PHP SDK.
Option A: Using the Parse PHP SDK
Install the Parse PHP SDK:
Use Composer to add the SDK to your project:
Bash
composer require parse/php-sdk
composer require parse/php-sdk
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Set Up Parse in Your PHP Application:
Create a configuration file (e.g., parseConfig.php):
PHP
<?php
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Parse\ParseClient;

// Initialize Parse with your Back4app credentials
ParseClient::initialize('YOUR_APPLICATION_ID', 'YOUR_REST_API_KEY', 'YOUR_MASTER_KEY');
ParseClient::setServerURL('https://parseapi.back4app.com', '/');
?>
<?php
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Parse\ParseClient;

// Initialize Parse with your Back4app credentials
ParseClient::initialize('YOUR_APPLICATION_ID', 'YOUR_REST_API_KEY', 'YOUR_MASTER_KEY');
ParseClient::setServerURL('https://parseapi.back4app.com', '/');
?>
﻿
Text

3. **Retrieve Items Using PHP:**  
For example, create a script named `itemsList.php`:

```php
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseQuery;

$query = new ParseQuery("Items");
try {
 $results = $query->find();
 foreach ($results as $item) {
     echo "<p><strong>" . $item->get("title") . "</strong> - " . $item->get("description") . "</p>";
 }
} catch (Exception $ex) {
 echo "Error: " . $ex->getMessage();
}

?>

3. **Retrieve Items Using PHP:**  
For example, create a script named `itemsList.php`:

```php
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseQuery;

$query = new ParseQuery("Items");
try {
 $results = $query->find();
 foreach ($results as $item) {
     echo "<p><strong>" . $item->get("title") . "</strong> - " . $item->get("description") . "</p>";
 }
} catch (Exception $ex) {
 echo "Error: " . $ex->getMessage();
}

?>
﻿
This script retrieves all records from the Items class and displays them.
Option B: Using REST or GraphQL APIs
If the Parse SDK is not an option, you can perform CRUD actions via REST. For instance, to fetch items using PHP and cURL:
PHP
<?php
$url = 'https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Items';
$headers = [
 "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APPLICATION_ID",
 "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY"
];

$ch = curl_init($url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, $headers);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

$data = json_decode($response, true);
foreach ($data['results'] as $item) {
 echo "<p><strong>" . $item['title'] . "</strong> - " . $item['description'] . "</p>";
}

?>
<?php
$url = 'https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Items';
$headers = [
 "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APPLICATION_ID",
 "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY"
];

$ch = curl_init($url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, $headers);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

$data = json_decode($response, true);
foreach ($data['results'] as $item) {
 echo "<p><strong>" . $item['title'] . "</strong> - " . $item['description'] . "</p>";
}

?>
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Integrate these code snippets within your PHP application as needed.
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Step 5 – Safeguarding Your Backend
Implementing Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Enhance your application's security by setting ACLs on objects. The following example demonstrates how to create a private item:
PHP
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseObject;
use Parse\ParseACL;

function createPrivateItem($data, $owner) {
    $item = new ParseObject("Items");
    $item->set("title", $data['title']);
    $item->set("description", $data['description']);

    $acl = new ParseACL($owner);
    $acl->setPublicReadAccess(false);
    $acl->setPublicWriteAccess(false);
    $item->setACL($acl);

    try {
        $item->save();
        echo "Private item created successfully.";
    } catch (Exception $e) {
        echo "Error: " . $e->getMessage();
    }
}

// Example usage:
// createPrivateItem(['title' => 'Sample Item', 'description' => 'A description'], $currentUser);

?>
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseObject;
use Parse\ParseACL;

function createPrivateItem($data, $owner) {
    $item = new ParseObject("Items");
    $item->set("title", $data['title']);
    $item->set("description", $data['description']);

    $acl = new ParseACL($owner);
    $acl->setPublicReadAccess(false);
    $acl->setPublicWriteAccess(false);
    $item->setACL($acl);

    try {
        $item->save();
        echo "Private item created successfully.";
    } catch (Exception $e) {
        echo "Error: " . $e->getMessage();
    }
}

// Example usage:
// createPrivateItem(['title' => 'Sample Item', 'description' => 'A description'], $currentUser);

?>
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Configuring Class-Level Permissions (CLPs)
Within the Back4app dashboard, adjust the CLPs for each class so that only authorized users have access to sensitive data.
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Step 6 – User Authentication
Setting Up User Registration and Login
Back4app uses Parse’s built-in User class for authentication. The example below shows how to handle user signup in PHP:
PHP
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseUser;

if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
    $user = new ParseUser();
    $user->set("username", $_POST['username']);
    $user->set("password", $_POST['password']);
    $user->set("email", $_POST['email']);

    try {
        $user->signUp();
        echo "Registration successful!";
    } catch (Exception $ex) {
        echo "Error: " . $ex->getMessage();
    }
}

?>

<!-- HTML Form for Signup -->
<form method="POST" action="signup.php">
  <input type="text" name="username" placeholder="Username" required>
  <input type="password" name="password" placeholder="Password" required>
  <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Email" required>
  <button type="submit">Sign Up</button>
</form>
<?php
require 'parseConfig.php';

use Parse\ParseUser;

if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
    $user = new ParseUser();
    $user->set("username", $_POST['username']);
    $user->set("password", $_POST['password']);
    $user->set("email", $_POST['email']);

    try {
        $user->signUp();
        echo "Registration successful!";
    } catch (Exception $ex) {
        echo "Error: " . $ex->getMessage();
    }
}

?>

<!-- HTML Form for Signup -->
<form method="POST" action="signup.php">
  <input type="text" name="username" placeholder="Username" required>
  <input type="password" name="password" placeholder="Password" required>
  <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Email" required>
  <button type="submit">Sign Up</button>
</form>
﻿
You can create similar scripts for login and session management. Additional features such as social authentication and email verification can also be set up via the Back4app dashboard.
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Step 7 – Deploying Your PHP Application
Back4app’s Web Deployment service supports PHP applications as well. Follow these steps to deploy your project:
7.1 Organize Your Application
Ensure your project directory is structured like this:
Text
Basic-CRUD-App-PHP/
├── vendor/
├── public/
|   └── index.php
├── src/
|   ├── parseConfig.php
|   ├── itemsList.php
|   └── auth.php
├── composer.json
└── README.md
Basic-CRUD-App-PHP/
├── vendor/
├── public/
|   └── index.php
├── src/
|   ├── parseConfig.php
|   ├── itemsList.php
|   └── auth.php
├── composer.json
└── README.md
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7.2 Upload Your Code to GitHub
Initialize a Git repository in your project folder:
Bash
git init
git init
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Stage your files:
Bash
git add .
git add .
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Commit your changes:
Bash
git commit -m "Initial commit for PHP CRUD application"
git commit -m "Initial commit for PHP CRUD application"
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Create a GitHub repository:
For instance, name it Basic-CRUD-App-PHP.
Push your code to GitHub:
Bash
git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/Basic-CRUD-App-PHP.git
git push -u origin main
git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/Basic-CRUD-App-PHP.git
git push -u origin main
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7.3 Integrate GitHub with Web Deployment
Access Web Deployment:
Log in to your Back4app dashboard, go to your project, and click on Web Deployment.
Connect Your GitHub Account:
Follow the prompts to link your GitHub repository.
Select Your Repository and Branch:
Choose Basic-CRUD-App-PHP and the main branch where your PHP code resides.
7.4 Configure Deployment Settings
Set up your deployment configuration with:
Build Command:
If necessary, specify a command to prepare your application.
Output Directory:
Point to the folder (e.g., public/) that serves as your document root.
Environment Variables:
Add any required API keys or configuration settings.
7.5 Dockerizing Your PHP Application (Optional)
If you prefer containerization, add a Dockerfile to your repository:
Dockerfile
# Use an official PHP image with Apache
FROM php:8.1-apache

# Copy your application files to the container
COPY . /var/www/html/

# Expose port 80 for web traffic
EXPOSE 80

CMD ["apache2-foreground"]
# Use an official PHP image with Apache
FROM php:8.1-apache

# Copy your application files to the container
COPY . /var/www/html/

# Expose port 80 for web traffic
EXPOSE 80

CMD ["apache2-foreground"]
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Configure Back4app to deploy your containerized application if desired.
7.6 Deploy Your Application
Click the Deploy Button:
Initiate deployment once all configurations are complete.
Monitor the Deployment Process:
Back4app will pull your repository, run any build commands, and deploy your PHP application.
Access Your Application URL:
After deployment, a URL will be provided where your app is live.
7.7 Verify Your Deployment
Visit the Provided URL:
Open the URL in your browser to confirm your PHP application is running.
Test CRUD Functionality:
Ensure that all create, read, update, and delete operations perform as expected.
Troubleshoot if Needed:
Use browser developer tools or check Back4app logs for any issues.
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Step 8 – Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Congratulations! You have successfully built a PHP-based CRUD application using Back4app. Throughout this tutorial, you:
Set up a project named Basic-CRUD-App-PHP.
Designed clear classes for Items and Users.
Utilized the Admin App for seamless data management.
Connected your PHP scripts to the backend using the Parse PHP SDK.
Secured your data with ACLs and implemented user authentication.
Next Steps:
Enhance the User Interface:
Expand your PHP application with features like detailed item views, search functionality, or real-time updates.
Integrate Advanced Features:
Consider adding cloud functions, third-party API integrations, or role-based access control.
Deepen Your Knowledge:
Explore the Back4app documentation and other resources to further enhance your development skills.
By following this tutorial, you are now equipped to develop robust PHP applications that efficiently manage data. Happy coding!
Field	Type	Explanation
_id	ObjectId	Auto-generated unique identifier.
title	String	The name of the item.
description	String	A short overview of the item.
created_at	Date	Time when the item was created.
updated_at	Date	Time when the item was last modified.
Field	Type	Explanation
_id	ObjectId	Auto-generated unique identifier.
username	String	A unique identifier for the user.
email	String	The user's email address.
password_hash	String	Securely stored hashed password.
created_at	Date	Timestamp when the account was created.
updated_at	Date	Timestamp for the latest account update.
Updated 14 Feb 2025
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