Guidance for Upgrading Laravel 5.2 to Laravel 5.7

Upgrading Laravel from version 5.2 to 5.7 involves a series of incremental upgrades through each major version, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, and 5.6. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure a smooth transition and avoid potential issues during the upgrade process.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

The process of upgrading Laravel involves making changes to the composer.json file, running composer updates, and reviewing upgrade guides for any required changes. This guide will walk you through each major version upgrade, from 5.2 to 5.7, to help you successfully navigate the upgrade process.

Step 1: Upgrade to Laravel 5.3

Update the Laravel version in your composer.json file: Run Composer Update: composer update Check for Breaking Changes: Review the Laravel 5.3 upgrade guide for any breaking changes and updates you need to make.

Step 2: Upgrade to Laravel 5.4

Update the Laravel version in your composer.json file: Run Composer Update: composer update Check for Breaking Changes: Review the Laravel 5.4 upgrade guide for any breaking changes and updates.

Step 3: Upgrade to Laravel 5.5

Update the Laravel version in your composer.json file: Run Composer Update: composer update Check for Breaking Changes: Review the Laravel 5.5 upgrade guide for any breaking changes and updates.

Step 4: Upgrade to Laravel 5.6

Update the Laravel version in your composer.json file: Run Composer Update: composer update Check for Breaking Changes: Review the Laravel 5.6 upgrade guide for any breaking changes and updates.

Step 5: Upgrade to Laravel 5.7

Update the Laravel version in your composer.json file: Run Composer Update: composer update Check for Breaking Changes: Review the Laravel 5.7 upgrade guide for any breaking changes and updates.

Additional Steps

Run Migrations: php artisan migrate Update Configuration Files: Review and update your configuration files as needed, especially if there are any new settings or changes in defaults. Test Your Application: Thoroughly test your application after each upgrade step to ensure everything works as expected.

Conclusion

Upgrading Laravel can be a complex process, especially when moving through multiple major versions. It is essential to review the upgrade guides for each version to address breaking changes and new features appropriately. Always ensure you have a backup of your application and database before starting the upgrade process.