Laravel Eloquent: How to store model values before saving? - php

Question

I have a custom function within one of my models. It looks like this:
public function newWithTeam($data, $team_id = false){
$levels = Permissions::get_levels();
$this->email = $data['email'];
$this->password = bcrypt($data['password']);
$this->username = $data['username'];
$this->save();
$profile = new Profile(['name' => $data['name'],'bio' => $data['bio']]);
$this->profile()->save($profile);
}
Here, you can see I store the email, password and username as object properties, before hitting save()
Instead, I'd like to do this in one line, something like:
$this->store(['email' => $data['email], 'password' => $data['password], 'username' => $data['username']]);
$this->save();
I am aware that the create() method exists, but when I use this, the following line
$this->profile()->save($profile); does not work properly. I think the create() function does not work the same as save() for some reason! Is there any equivalent to the store() function as above?

Answer 1

You can use the fill() method to achieve what you are looking for.
But before using it, you should know a few things.
Laravel models are protected against mass-assignment by security reasons, to use the fill() method you will need to define what properties of your model can be filled using the fillable or the guarded properties.
<?php
namespace App;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
class UserModel extends Model
{
protected $fillable = ['email', 'password', 'username'];
public function newWithTeam($data, $team_id = false){
$levels = Permissions::get_levels();
$this->fill([
'email' => $data['email'],
'password' => bcrypt($data['password']),
'username' => $data['username']
]);
$this->save();
$profile = new Profile([
'name' => $data['name'],
'bio' => $data['bio']
]);
$this->profile()->save($profile);
}
}
The fillable property functions like a white-list for mass-assignment. If you want the other way, you can use the guarded property that will function like a black-list. Which means that every column listed within the guarded property will not be available for mass-assignment and everything else will, it's your choice.
About your last statement, if you look at the implementation of the create() method you will find that it accepts a regular php array, while the save() method will accept an Eloquent Model instance. That's why create() will not work receiving your $profile variable.
I hope this helps.

Answer 2

The method that You're looking for is fill:
$this->fill([
'email' => $data['email'],
'password' => $data['password'],
'username' => $data['username']]
);
$this->save();
You can use it for both creating and updating.

Answer 3

You can use fill directly:
$this->fill($data);
$this->save();
It will use the array keys as object attributes, so make sure you'll use the same.
Also, make sure you have set the $fillable in your model (http://laravel.com/docs/eloquent#mass-assignment):
class x extends Eloquent {
protected $fillable = ['email','password','username'];
...
}

Answer 4

I'm not 100 % sure I understood you correctly, but it sounds like you want to make a oneliner update without screwing up the profile creation. In that case, you can simply use the update() method:
$this->update(['email' => $data['email], 'password' => bcrypt($data['password]), 'username' => $data['username']]);
That saves the new values for you.

Answer 5

So what happens when you run $this->create()? Are you getting an error?
Consider that create() will return the new object that you created so you could try:
$user = $this->create([
'email' => $data['email],
'password' => $data['password],
'username' => $data['username']
]);
$user->profile()->create([
'name' => $data['name'],
'bio' => $data['bio']
]);
Didn't test this so see how you get on and leave a comment if you have any further issues. Happy coding!