DDEV: My favourite for Local Development

As a web developer, there can be a universal struggle with setting up local development environments; when working on projects I have found that DDEV might be the solution we’ve all been looking for. 

DDEV is a powerful tool designed to simplify and standardise local development; it provides an environment based on Docker and allows developers to create projects with minimal configuration quickly.

Why Use DDEV?

One of the most significant advantages I have found with DDEV is its ability to remove the hassle of manually setting up PHP, MySQL, and web server configurations.

Instead of dealing with complex dependencies, you can run a simple command like:

ddev config

and have a fully functional environment ready to go.

Key Benefits:

The key benefits I have found when using DDEV are:

Documentation: 
Clear and easy-to-navigate docs.

Speed and efficiency:
Setting up projects is significantly faster than traditional methods.

Standardisation:
Ensures consistency across different development environments.

Flexibility:
Supports multiple PHP versions, databases, and frameworks, making it ideal for Magento, WordPress, Drupal, and other platforms.

Docker-powered:
Uses lightweight containers, reducing conflicts with your system’s installed software.

Easy configuration:
With a straightforward YAML file, you can customise project settings effortlessly.

Getting Started with DDEV

To get started, you need to simply install DDEV, navigate to your project directory, and run:

ddev config

This will guide you through setting up your environment. Once configured, DDEV will launch the project, and you can access it via a local URL.

If you’re looking for a faster, more reliable way to manage local development, DDEV is definitely worth trying. It has transformed the way I set up projects, making development smoother and more efficient.

Have you tried DDEV yet? Let me know your experience!