Laravel 4 - How to set input value as a route - php

Question

I want to implement a text input field via Blade to my view in Laravel 4.
{{ Form::open(array("route" => "search.show")) }}
{{ Form::text("name") }}
{{ Form::close() }}
The text input posts a string to my controller, that is used to select some data from my database via
class SearchController extends \BaseController {
public function show($name) {
return(Item::where("name", "like", "%" . $name . "%")->get());
}
}
When I submit the form with the text input, I want to hit the search.show Route, that I implemented with
Route::resource("search", "SearchController");
Now I want to know, how to post the text to my routes.php, that my controller is able to get the input by the parameter of the show method?
I know I could enter the data via Input::get("name"), but isn't it a design failure, when Router::resource gives me the template for this?
Sorry for my bad english, but I hope you guys could help me out.
Thank you.

Answer 1

You're specific need isn't answered by the Resource controller layout. A search in general will have a number of different facets beyond a keyword, although this isn't always true.
The best approach I can offer you would be to avoid using any of the pre-existing Resource Controller routes as you may need them for what they are actually for in the future.
You can add a search method to your Resource controller when you declare the routes.
Route::get('search', [
'uses' => 'SearchController#search',
'as' => 'search'
]);
Route::resource('SearchController');
However, as a resource controller is not a good solution for this. Use a regular controller. Just remove the resource controller call in routes.php and only implement the search method.
public function search()
{
// Your code here
}
The advantages to this are that you take back full control over the naming of the route, the HTTP verb used (GET makes more sense for a search) and you don't pollute a resource controllers templated routes with functionality that doesn't belong.
The second part is how to pass variables. Searching is typically difficult using parameters passed in as separated arguments in the url. Using a GET request just use a query string.
http://myapp.com/search?keyword=search%20%keyword
Now just use the Input facade or dependency inject the Request class into the controller.
$keyword = Input::get('keyword');

Answer 2

if you using form better not using function which hash variable like show($id) function, because url should be like this .../search/show/{$id}, try use store() function.
public function store()
{
$name = Input::get("name");
/* your code */
}
==
{{ Form::open(array('route' => "search.store")) }}
{{ Form::text("name") }}
{{ Form::close() }}

Answer 3

You can inject a Request object to show method of the controller.
class SearchController extends \BaseController {
public function show(Request $request) {
$name = $request->input("name");
}
}
Or you can do form model binding : http://scotch.io/quick-tips/php-tips/laravel-php/laravel-form-model-binding.
On Laravel 4.x you have to use the Input Facade
class SearchController extends \BaseController {
public function show(Request $request) {
$name = Input::get("name");
}
}