Laravel Request Validation

Introduction:

Start with why request validation is important in Laravel:

• Ensures clean, validated data for robust applications.
• Makes controllers cleaner and more manageable.
• Offers flexibility for custom rules and messages.

Mention briefly what the readers will learn:

• How to create and configure a request class in Laravel.
• Setting up validation rules and custom error messages.
• Integrating the request class into a controller.

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1. Creating a Request File

Begin by explaining what a request class is:

• A request class centralizes input validation logic.

Command to Create the Request File:

php artisan make:request DesignationRequest

Explain what happens:

• Laravel generates a DesignationRequest class in the App\Http\Requests directory.

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2. Understanding the Generated Request Class

a) The authorize() Method

• By default, authorize() returns false.
• Change it to true to allow all users or implement authorization logic if needed.

public function authorize()
{
    return true;
}

b) The rules() Method

• Define validation rules for the input fields.

Example:

public function rules()
{
    return [
        'name' => 'required|string|min:3|max:255',
        'description' => 'nullable|string|max:555',
    ];
}

c) The messages() Method

• Customize error messages for specific fields.

Example:

public function messages()
{
    return [
        'name.required' => 'The designation name is required',
        'name.min' => 'The designation name must be atleast 3 characters',
        'name.max' => 'The designation name must not exceed 255 characters',
        'description.max' => 'The description must not exceed 555 characters'
    ];
}

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3. Integrating the Request Class in the Controller

Explain how to configure the request file with a controller.

• Add the use statement:

use App\Http\Requests\DesignationRequest;

• Update the store method to use the request class:

public function store(DesignationRequest $request)
{
    $designation = Designations::create([
        'name' => $request->validated('name'),
        'description' => $request->validated('description'),
        'active_status' => $request->has('active_status') ? 1 : 0,
    ]);

    return redirect()->route('admin.designations.index')
        ->with('success', 'Designation created successfully!');
}