Provides tools to validate values
2.7k
Stars
106
Forks
4
Open issues
30
Contributors
AI Analysis
The Validator component provides data validation tools implementing the JSR-303 Bean Validation specification, allowing developers to validate values against defined constraints. It is best suited for PHP/Symfony applications requiring structured validation of user input, configuration, or API data. It benefits PHP developers using the Symfony framework or those seeking a standards-compliant validation library.
Inferred from signals mentioned in the README (tests, CI, type safety) — not a review of the actual code.
AI's overall editorial judgment — not an average of the bars above, can weigh other factors too.
Symfony Validator: JSR-303 compliant validation component deeply embedded in PHP's largest framework
Symfony Validator is a PHP validation library implementing the JSR-303 Bean Validation specification. It is used primarily by Symfony framework users and projects built on Symfony, offering declarative constraint-based validation with support for custom rules, nested object validation, and internationalization. Adoption is substantial within the Symfony ecosystem but difficult to quantify outside it. The component appears mature and actively maintained as part of Symfony's broader platform.
Created in 2011 as part of the Symfony 2 initiative, the Validator component emerged alongside the full framework restructuring into decoupled, reusable pieces. It has evolved to maintain JSR-303 compliance while adding Symfony-specific extensions and adapting to PHP language evolution across 15 years.
Growth has been incremental and coupled to Symfony framework adoption rather than independent momentum. The modest 1 star gain in the past 7 days reflects a mature, stable component within a larger ecosystem. Most growth likely occurred during Symfony's adoption wave (2011–2015) and has since plateaued as the ecosystem stabilized. Independent adoption outside Symfony appears limited.
Adoption not verified through the README excerpt or public statistics. However, as an official Symfony component, it is presumed to be widely used within the Symfony ecosystem. Quantifying production usage outside Symfony is not possible from available data.
Based on README, appears to implement a constraint-based validation model following JSR-303 specification, likely using attributes/annotations for declarative rule definition. Appears designed as a standalone component usable outside Symfony, though tightly integrated with Symfony ecosystem tooling.
Not documented in README excerpt provided.
Last push was 2026-07-05, indicating active maintenance as of the analysis date (2026-07-07). Maintenance appears continuous and responsive to platform needs, consistent with a core Symfony component. Issue and PR handling delegated to main Symfony repository suggests operational stability rather than neglect.
ADOPT IF: you are building on Symfony or already using Symfony components; your project requires standards-compliant (JSR-303) validation with rich constraint options and nested validation; you value tight integration with form handling and dependency injection. AVOID IF: you need a lightweight, zero-dependency validator for standalone use; your project is not tied to Symfony and prefers minimal framework coupling; you are starting fresh and want to evaluate alternatives without ecosystem lock-in. MONITOR IF: you are evaluating Symfony adoption and validation is a component in that decision; you need to track how JSR-303 compliance remains relevant in modern PHP validation trends.
Independent dimensions
Mainstream potential
3/10
Technical importance
6/10
Adoption evidence
4/10
- Adoption difficult to measure outside Symfony ecosystem; may be overestimated or underestimated in real-world usage.
- Tight coupling to Symfony framework means features and updates are governed by broader framework decisions, not independent project roadmap.
- JSR-303 specification is Java-centric; PHP adoption and standardization around it may drift or become less relevant over time.
- Competing standalone validators (Respect/Validation) with fewer dependencies may capture projects seeking to avoid framework coupling.
- Limited visibility into test coverage, performance benchmarking, or security audit history from README alone.
Symfony Validator will remain stable and actively maintained as a core Symfony component. Growth will remain incremental, tied to Symfony ecosystem expansion rather than independent adoption. Unlikely to gain significant market share outside Symfony contexts.
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Languages
Information
- Website
- https://symfony.com/validator
- Language
- PHP
- License
- MIT
- Last updated
- 5d ago
- Created
- 187mo ago
- Analyzed with
- anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5
Stars over time
Contributors over time
Top 100 contributors only — repos with more will plateau at 100.
Top contributors
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| Repository | Stars | Week Δ | Language | Score | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
symfony/validator
this
|
2.7k | +1 | PHP | 8/10 | 5d ago |
|
symfony/form
|
2.8k | — | PHP | 8/10 | 5d ago |
|
symfony/config
|
4.3k | — | PHP | 8/10 | 2w ago |
|
Respect/Validation
|
6k | — | PHP | 8/10 | 2w ago |
|
symfony/security-core
|
1.9k | — | PHP | 8/10 | 7d ago |
|
symfony/security-csrf
|
1.8k | — | PHP | 8/10 | 1mo ago |
Standalone, independent validator library with higher GitHub stars (6030 vs 2690) and no framework coupling. Respects offers broader language-agnostic appeal but may lack the deep integration and standardization compliance Symfony Validator provides.
Often paired with Symfony Validator but focuses on ORM-level constraints. Symfony Validator is typically the higher-level application validation layer.
Similar role in the Laminas ecosystem. Both are framework-specific, mature validators; adoption tracked within their respective communities rather than competing broadly.
Lighter-weight, non-standardized alternatives. Symfony Validator's JSR-303 compliance and deeper framework integration appeal to projects already using Symfony.