The Complete Guide on How to Check Laravel Version

Laravel is a widely popular PHP framework known for its simplicity, powerful features, and clean syntax. Whether you’re maintaining an existing project or starting a new one, it’s crucial to know which version of Laravel you’re using. Keeping your Laravel version up to date ensures that your application is running smoothly, securely, and taking advantage of the latest features.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about checking and updating your Laravel version. Here’s what we’ll go over:

• How to check Laravel version using the command line (CMD)
• How to update Laravel to the latest version
• How to check Laravel version on Ubuntu
• How to check Laravel version in PHP code
• The latest Laravel version
• Laravel version history
• Using php artisan --version to check the version
• How to update Laravel using CMD

Now, let’s dive in and cover each step!

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1. How to Check Laravel Version in CMD

One of the easiest ways to check your Laravel version is by using the Command Line Interface (CLI). Depending on your operating system, this could be Command Prompt (CMD) for Windows or Terminal for macOS and Linux.

Steps to Check Laravel Version via CMD:

1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal:
   • On Windows, press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
   • On macOS or Linux, open the Terminal application.
2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory:
   • Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where your Laravel project is stored:
     bash

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     cd /path/to/your/laravel/project

3. Run the Laravel Version Command:
   • Now, execute the following command to display the Laravel version:
     bash

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     php artisan --version

   • You should see output like this:
     bash

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     Laravel Framework 9.18.0


This method is fast, simple, and works across all operating systems. It’s recommended for both beginner and advanced developers.

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2. How to Update Laravel Version

Keeping your Laravel version updated ensures you’re working with the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. Here’s how you can safely update your Laravel version step-by-step.

Steps to Update Laravel Version:

1. Backup Your Laravel Project:
   • Before making any updates, it’s essential to back up your project. You can do this by copying the project folder or using Git to create a commit of your current state.
2. Check Your Current Version:
   • Before updating, make sure to check your current Laravel version using the steps mentioned in section 1.
3. Update the Laravel Version in Composer:
   • Open your composer.json file in the root directory of your Laravel project. Look for the line that specifies the Laravel version under "laravel/framework". For example:
     json

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     "require": {
"laravel/framework": "^9.0"
}

   • Change this to the latest version of Laravel, if necessary.
4. Run Composer Update:
   • Open your terminal and run the following command to update Laravel and its dependencies:
     bash

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     composer update

5. Clear Laravel Cache:
   • After updating, you should clear any cached settings to avoid conflicts:
     bash

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     php artisan cache:clear
php artisan config:clear
php artisan view:clear

6. Review the Laravel Upgrade Guide:
   • After updating, go through the official Laravel Upgrade Guide to ensure there are no breaking changes or additional steps required.
7. Test Your Application:
   • Once everything is updated, test your application to make sure all features are working correctly.

Following these steps ensures that your Laravel project is safely updated to the latest version without any hiccups.

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3. How to Check Laravel Version in Ubuntu

If you’re using Laravel on an Ubuntu system, checking the version is similar to the process on Windows and macOS.

Steps to Check Laravel Version in Ubuntu:

1. Open Terminal:
   • Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal on Ubuntu.
2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory:
   • Use the following command to navigate to your project directory:
     bash

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     cd /path/to/your/laravel/project

3. Run the Laravel Version Command:
   • Run the following command to check the Laravel version:
     bash

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     php artisan --version


You’ll see the version of Laravel running on your Ubuntu system. This method is as simple and effective as the CMD method on other platforms.

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4. How to Check Laravel Version Using PHP Code

Sometimes, you may need to check the Laravel version directly within your project’s code instead of using the command line. This is useful when you’re unable to access the terminal or when automating version checks.

Steps to Check Laravel Version via PHP Code:

1. Go to the Laravel Project Directory:
   • Open the vendor/laravel/framework/src/Illuminate/Foundation directory inside your Laravel project.
2. Open the Application.php File:
   • Inside the Foundation folder, locate and open the Application.php file.
3. Find the Laravel Version:
   • Inside this file, look for a line like this:
     php

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     const VERSION = 'x.x.x';

   • This constant holds the version of Laravel that’s installed in your project.

This method works well when you can’t access the terminal but still have access to the project files.

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5. Laravel Latest Version

As of 2024, the latest stable version of Laravel is Laravel 10.x. Each version of Laravel comes with significant improvements aimed at making the development process easier and more efficient.

Notable Features of Laravel 10.x:

• Better Type Safety: Laravel 10 introduces improved type safety, making it easier to catch errors during development.
• Enhanced Blade Components: Blade components are now more flexible and reusable, allowing for cleaner front-end code.
• New Validation Rules: Laravel 10 offers a simplified way to validate incoming data, improving the security and efficiency of your forms and requests.

For more information on Laravel 10 and its features, you can visit the official Laravel Documentation.

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6. Laravel Version History

Understanding Laravel’s version history can provide insights into how the framework has evolved over time. Here’s a brief overview of major Laravel releases:

• Laravel 1.x (2011): The initial release, introducing simple syntax for PHP development.
• Laravel 4.x (2013): A major rewrite, introducing support for Composer, a PHP package manager.
• Laravel 5.x (2015-2019): Significant updates with the introduction of middleware, job queues, and improvements to Blade templates.
• Laravel 6.x (2019): First version to adopt semantic versioning. Added Lazy Collections and improved job handling.
• Laravel 7.x (2020): Introduced Blade components and a built-in HTTP client.
• Laravel 8.x (2020): Added Laravel Jetstream, a powerful authentication starter kit, and job batching.
• Laravel 9.x (2022): Latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version, bringing Symfony 6.x support and enhanced routing.
• Laravel 10.x (2024): Focused on type safety improvements and enhanced front-end components.

You can view the complete version history and details for each release in the official Laravel documentation.

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7. Using php artisan --version

The php artisan --version command is by far the simplest and quickest way to check your Laravel version. This command works across all platforms (Windows, macOS, and Linux) and is ideal for users of any experience level.

How to Use php artisan --version:

1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal:
   • Depending on your operating system, open CMD (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory:
   • Use the following command to go to your Laravel project folder:
     bash

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     cd /path/to/your/laravel/project

3. Run the Command:
   • Execute the following command to check the Laravel version:
     bash

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     php artisan --version


This command will display the installed version of Laravel in seconds.

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8. How to Update Laravel Version Using CMD

Updating Laravel using the command line is straightforward, but it’s important to proceed carefully to avoid introducing breaking changes.

Steps to Update Laravel Using CMD:

1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal:
   • Open CMD (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Folder:
   • Use the following command to move to your project folder:
     bash

     Copy code

     cd /path/to/your/project

3. Run the Composer Update Command:
   • Run this command to update Laravel:
     bash

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     composer update

4. Check the Laravel Version:
   • Once the update is complete, verify the Laravel version:
     bash

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     php artisan --version

5. Review the Laravel Upgrade Guide:
   • After updating, it’s a good idea to check the official Laravel Upgrade Guide to ensure everything is working correctly.

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Here are some external links that can serve as reputable sources for the topics covered about checking and updating Laravel versions:

1. Laravel Documentation:
   • Laravel Official Documentation – The official Laravel documentation is an authoritative source for understanding all aspects of Laravel, including version checks and updates.
2. Laravel Upgrade Guide:
   • Laravel Upgrade Guide – This guide provides detailed instructions on upgrading Laravel applications and addressing any breaking changes.
3. Composer Documentation:
   • Composer Official Documentation – Composer is a dependency manager for PHP, and this documentation explains how to manage package versions, including Laravel.
4. GitHub – Laravel Framework:
   • Laravel GitHub Repository – The official GitHub repository for Laravel where you can find the latest releases, version history, and community discussions.
5. Laravel News:
   • Laravel News – A popular website that provides news, tutorials, and resources for the Laravel community, including updates on new releases.
6. Stack Overflow:
   • Stack Overflow – Laravel Questions – A community-driven Q&A platform where you can find discussions about common issues and questions regarding Laravel versions.
7. PHP: The Right Way:
   • PHP: The Right Way – A guide that provides best practices and standards for PHP programming, including using frameworks like Laravel.

Final Thoughts

Being able to check and update your Laravel version is an essential skill for developers. Whether you’re using the command line or looking through files, this guide has provided you with all the steps needed to keep your Laravel project up to date.

Regularly updating Laravel ensures that your application benefits from the latest features and stays secure from vulnerabilities. Always remember to back up your project and test everything after making updates.

With the knowledge from this guide, you’re now equipped to check and update Laravel versions like a pro!