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javascriptphphtmlhome-automation

Home automation with php suggestions

I'm working on a project with my brother for his home, specifically we are implementing home automation. The hardware part is ready and working; we handle everything with an UDOO. Now that lights and the other devices are running with no problems, we want to build a front-end interface. There is a 7 inch android tablet in each room, but we would like to develop a multi-platform interface (so it could run on everything that can access internet). The idea is to create an HTML5 web application, using:

  • php to handle the house data that will be stored in a database
  • js(+AJAX) to create dynamic pages

I have pretty good knowledge in this environment, but I would like to know some suggestions on how to proceed. My questions are:

  1. Will I need a php framework (if so, which one)? [EDIT: ok, I'll use one of course :P]
  2. Using WebSockets instead of polling will overload too much my application? If not, do they have compatibility with mobile browsers?
Solution

  • Will i need a php framework (if so, which one)?

    You won't need it but of course it might help. (I would suggest laravel)

    Is there anything better than polling the database throught php to detect changes? (I searched about websockets, but I'm not sure if those would work in mobile devices)

    As you said already, web sockets can help you!

    Cross Platform Issue

    There are many services out there like cordova that you can use to build native applications from web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).