CakePHP is a popular open-source PHP web application framework that follows the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern. It simplifies the development of web applications by providing a structured and convention-based approach. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, CakePHP was actively maintained and widely used in the PHP development community. Here's an overview of CakePHP development:

1. Getting Started:
   - To start a CakePHP project, you need to download and set up the framework on your server or use Composer, a PHP dependency management tool, to create a new CakePHP project.

2. MVC Architecture:
   - CakePHP follows the MVC architectural pattern, which helps in separating application logic into three main components:
     - **Model:** Represents the data and business logic of your application. Models interact with the database.
     - **View:** Handles the presentation layer and displays data to the user.
     - **Controller:** Manages user requests, interacts with models to retrieve data, and passes data to views for rendering.

3. Conventions:
   - CakePHP relies heavily on naming conventions for database tables, models, controllers, and views. Following these conventions makes development more efficient and reduces configuration.

4. Database Interaction:
   - CakePHP provides a built-in ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) system that allows you to interact with the database using PHP classes. This simplifies database operations and makes it more secure.

5. Routing:
   - CakePHP has a powerful routing system that allows you to define custom URL routes for your application. You can map URLs to specific controllers and actions.

6. Templating:
   - CakePHP uses its own templating system for generating views. It supports layout templates and view elements for reusing common view code.

7. Authentication and Security:
   - CakePHP includes built-in features for handling user authentication and authorization. It also has security components and features to protect against common security vulnerabilities.

8. Validation:
   - CakePHP provides data validation and sanitization features to ensure that user input is safe and meets the required criteria.

9. Testing:
   - CakePHP encourages and supports unit testing and integration testing. PHPUnit is commonly used for writing test cases.

10. Plugins and Extensions:
    - You can extend CakePHP's functionality by using plugins and extensions. There's a vibrant community that develops and shares various plugins to enhance your applications.

11. Community and Documentation:
    - CakePHP has an active community that provides documentation, tutorials, and forums for support and learning.

12. Upgrades and Maintenance:
    - It's essential to keep your CakePHP applications up to date with the latest versions and security patches to ensure stability and security.

13. Deployment:
    - You can deploy CakePHP applications on various web hosting environments that support PHP and a relational database system (such as MySQL or PostgreSQL).

Please note that the PHP development landscape may have evolved since my last update in September 2021. It's a good practice to check the official CakePHP website and the PHP community for the latest information, updates, and best practices when starting a new CakePHP project. Additionally, consider the PHP version compatibility and security updates for your applications.