Laravel installation with Composer - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📝 Syntax

intermediate

Correct command to create a new Laravel project

Which Composer command correctly creates a new Laravel project named myapp?

A composer laravel create myapp

B composer new-project laravel/laravel myapp

C composer install laravel myapp

D composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp

💡 Hint

Think about the Composer command that downloads and installs a package as a new project.

The correct command to create a new Laravel project is composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp. This downloads the Laravel framework and sets up the project in the myapp folder.

❓ component_behavior

intermediate

Laravel project directory after installation

After running composer create-project laravel/laravel blog, what will be the main directory structure inside blog?

A Contains only <code>public</code> folder and <code>index.php</code> file

B Contains folders like <code>app</code>, <code>config</code>, <code>routes</code>, and files like <code>artisan</code>

C Contains only <code>vendor</code> folder and <code>composer.json</code> file

D Contains <code>node_modules</code> and <code>package.json</code> only

💡 Hint

Think about what a full Laravel project folder looks like after installation.

A Laravel project folder includes main folders like app (application code), config (configuration files), routes (route definitions), and important files like artisan (CLI tool).

🔧 Debug

advanced

Error when running Laravel after installation

You installed Laravel with Composer but get this error when running php artisan serve:
Could not open input file: artisan
What is the most likely cause?

A You are not inside the Laravel project root directory

B Composer was not installed correctly

C PHP version is too old

D The artisan file is missing from the vendor folder

💡 Hint

Think about where the artisan file is located and where you run the command.

The artisan file is in the Laravel project root folder. Running php artisan serve outside that folder causes this error.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Purpose of Composer in Laravel installation

What is the main role of Composer when installing Laravel?

A It compiles Laravel source code into executable files

B It manages JavaScript packages for Laravel frontend

C It downloads Laravel and all its PHP dependencies automatically

D It runs Laravel server automatically after installation

💡 Hint

Composer is a tool for PHP projects to handle libraries and dependencies.

Composer downloads Laravel and all required PHP packages so the framework works correctly.

❓ state_output

expert

Output of Laravel version command after installation

After installing Laravel with Composer, you run php artisan --version. What output do you expect?

A Laravel Framework 10.x.x (or the installed version number)

B Command not found error

C PHP version number

D Composer version number

💡 Hint

The artisan command shows Laravel framework info with this command.

The command php artisan --version outputs the installed Laravel framework version.

Practice

1. What is the main tool used to install Laravel easily with a single command?

easy

A. Composer

B. NPM

C. Git

D. Docker

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Laravel installation tools

   Laravel uses Composer, a PHP package manager, to install its files easily.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct tool

   Composer is the official and recommended tool for Laravel installation, unlike NPM, Git, or Docker.

3. Final Answer:

   Composer -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Laravel installation tool = Composer [OK]

Hint: Remember Laravel uses Composer for PHP packages [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Composer with NPM (JavaScript tool)
• Thinking Git installs Laravel automatically
• Assuming Docker installs Laravel by itself

2. Which of the following is the correct Composer command to create a new Laravel project named myapp?

easy

A. composer install laravel myapp

B. composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp

C. composer new laravel myapp

D. composer laravel create myapp

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Composer command syntax for Laravel

   The correct command uses create-project followed by the package and project folder name.

2. Step 2: Match the command to options

   composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp matches the correct syntax: composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp.

3. Final Answer:

   composer create-project laravel/laravel myapp -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct Composer command = create-project [OK]

Hint: Use 'create-project' with package and folder name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'install' instead of 'create-project'
• Wrong command order or missing package name
• Using 'new' or 'laravel create' which are invalid

3. After running composer create-project laravel/laravel blog, what folder will contain the Laravel app?

medium

A. laravel

B. public

C. vendor

D. blog

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the command structure

   The last argument in the command is the folder name where Laravel installs the app.

2. Step 2: Identify the folder name

   Since the command ends with blog, the Laravel app is installed inside the blog folder.

3. Final Answer:

   blog -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Project folder = last argument 'blog' [OK]

Hint: Last word in command is your app folder name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 'laravel' is the folder name
• Confusing 'vendor' as the app folder
• Thinking 'public' is the main app folder

4. You ran composer create-project laravel/laravel without specifying a folder name. What will happen?

medium

A. Laravel installs in the current directory

B. Composer throws an error for missing folder name

C. Laravel installs in a folder named 'laravel'

D. Composer installs Laravel globally

Solution

1. Step 1: Check default behavior of create-project

   If no folder name is given, Composer uses the package name as the folder.

2. Step 2: Apply to Laravel package

   Since the package is laravel/laravel, it creates a folder named laravel.

3. Final Answer:

   Laravel installs in a folder named 'laravel' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   No folder name defaults to package name folder [OK]

Hint: No folder name? Uses package name as folder [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting an error for missing folder
• Thinking it installs in current folder
• Assuming global installation happens

5. After installing Laravel with Composer, which command starts the built-in Laravel development server inside your project folder?

hard

A. php artisan serve

B. composer start

C. php start server

D. laravel serve

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Laravel's built-in server command

   Laravel uses the Artisan CLI tool, and the command to start the server is php artisan serve.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Options like composer start, php start server, and laravel serve are invalid commands.

3. Final Answer:

   php artisan serve -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Start server command = php artisan serve [OK]

Hint: Use 'php artisan serve' to start Laravel server [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying 'composer start' which doesn't start Laravel server
• Using 'laravel serve' which is not a valid command
• Typing 'php start server' which is incorrect syntax