Handling Default Values in Laravel Request using mergeIfMissing

Last updated on by

Handling Default Values in Laravel Request using mergeIfMissing image

When building web applications, dealing with optional inputs and providing default values is a common task. Laravel simplifies this common task with the mergeIfMissing method available on the request object. This method provides an elegant way to add default values to your request data without overwriting existing values. Let's see how this feature can enhance your Laravel applications.

Understanding mergeIfMissing()

The mergeIfMissing method adds the given array into the request's input data, but only for keys that aren't already present in the request. The syntax is straightforward:

$request->mergeIfMissing(['key' => 'default_value']);

Real-World Application

Let's look at a practical example where we're building a post creation system. We want certain fields to have default values when they're not provided in the request.

Here's how we can implement this using mergeIfMissing:

<?php
 
namespace App\Http\Controllers;
 
use App\Models\Post;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 
class BlogPostController extends Controller
{
public function createPost(Request $request)
{
$request->mergeIfMissing([
'view_count' => 0,
'engagement_count' => 0,
'post_status' => 'draft',
'publication_date' => null,
]);
 
$blogPost = Post::create($request->all());
 
return response()->json($blogPost, 201);
}
}

In this example, mergeIfMissing helps us:

  • Set a default post_status of 'draft' if not provided
  • Initialize view_count and engagement_count to 0 if not set
  • Set publication_date to null if not provided

Here's what the input and output look like:

// POST /api/posts
// Input (minimal)
{
"title": "Getting Started with Laravel",
"content": "Laravel is a powerful framework..."
}
 
// Output
{
"id": 1,
"title": "Getting Started with Laravel",
"content": "Laravel is a powerful framework...",
"post_status": "draft",
"view_count": 0,
"engagement_count": 0,
"publication_date": null,
"created_at": "2024-03-15T10:00:00.000000Z",
"updated_at": "2024-03-15T10:00:00.000000Z"
}
 
// Input (with some fields set)
{
"title": "Advanced Laravel Tips",
"content": "Here are some advanced Laravel tips...",
"post_status": "published",
"publication_date": "2024-03-15T12:00:00.000000Z"
}
 
// Output
{
"id": 2,
"title": "Advanced Laravel Tips",
"content": "Here are some advanced Laravel tips...",
"post_status": "published",
"view_count": 0,
"engagement_count": 0,
"publication_date": "2024-03-15T12:00:00.000000Z",
"created_at": "2024-03-15T12:00:00.000000Z",
"updated_at": "2024-03-15T12:00:00.000000Z"
}

Using mergeIfMissing() provides a clean way to handle optional inputs in your Laravel applications. It's particularly useful when working with forms or APIs where some fields might be optional, but you need to maintain a consistent data structure in your application.

Harris Raftopoulos photo

Senior Software Engineer | 15+ years in PHP, 11+ with Laravel

Cube

Laravel Newsletter

Join 40k+ other developers and never miss out on new tips, tutorials, and more.

Laravel Forge logo

Laravel Forge

Easily create and manage your servers and deploy your Laravel applications in seconds.

Laravel Forge
Tinkerwell logo

Tinkerwell

The must-have code runner for Laravel developers. Tinker with AI, autocompletion and instant feedback on local and production environments.

Tinkerwell
No Compromises logo

No Compromises

Joel and Aaron, the two seasoned devs from the No Compromises podcast, are now available to hire for your Laravel project. ⬧ Flat rate of $7500/mo. ⬧ No lengthy sales process. ⬧ No contracts. ⬧ 100% money back guarantee.

No Compromises
Laravel Idea for PhpStorm logo

Laravel Idea for PhpStorm

Ultimate PhpStorm plugin for Laravel developers, delivering lightning-fast code completion, intelligent navigation, and powerful generation tools to supercharge productivity.

Laravel Idea for PhpStorm
Kirschbaum logo

Kirschbaum

Providing innovation and stability to ensure your web application succeeds.

Kirschbaum
Shift logo

Shift

Running an old Laravel version? Instant, automated Laravel upgrades and code modernization to keep your applications fresh.

Shift
Bacancy logo

Bacancy

Supercharge your project with a seasoned Laravel developer with 4-6 years of experience for just $2500/month. Get 160 hours of dedicated expertise & a risk-free 15-day trial. Schedule a call now!

Bacancy
Lucky Media logo

Lucky Media

Get Lucky Now - the ideal choice for Laravel Development, with over a decade of experience!

Lucky Media
Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce logo

Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce

E-Commerce for Laravel. An open-source package that brings the power of modern headless e-commerce functionality to Laravel.

Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce
LaraJobs logo

LaraJobs

The official Laravel job board

LaraJobs
SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit logo

SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit

SaaSykit is a Multi-tenant Laravel SaaS Starter Kit that comes with all features required to run a modern SaaS. Payments, Beautiful Checkout, Admin Panel, User dashboard, Auth, Ready Components, Stats, Blog, Docs and more.

SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit
Supercharge Your SaaS Development with FilamentFlow: The Ultimate Laravel Filament Boilerplate logo

Supercharge Your SaaS Development with FilamentFlow: The Ultimate Laravel Filament Boilerplate

Build your SaaS application in hours. Out-of-the-box multi-tenancy and seamless Stripe integration. Supports subscriptions and one-time purchases, allowing you to focus on building and creating without repetitive setup tasks.

Supercharge Your SaaS Development with FilamentFlow: The Ultimate Laravel Filament Boilerplate
JetShip - Laravel Starter Kit logo

JetShip - Laravel Starter Kit

A Laravel SaaS Boilerplate and a starter kit built on the TALL stack. It includes authentication, payments, admin panels, and more. Launch scalable apps fast with clean code, seamless deployment, and custom branding.

JetShip - Laravel Starter Kit
Rector logo

Rector

Your partner for seamless Laravel upgrades, cutting costs, and accelerating innovation for successful companies

Rector
MongoDB logo

MongoDB

Enhance your PHP applications with the powerful integration of MongoDB and Laravel, empowering developers to build applications with ease and efficiency. Support transactional, search, analytics and mobile use cases while using the familiar Eloquent APIs. Discover how MongoDB's flexible, modern database can transform your Laravel applications.

MongoDB

The latest

View all →
Streamlining Route Parameters in Laravel Using URL Defaults image

Streamlining Route Parameters in Laravel Using URL Defaults

Read article
Flexible Docker Images with PHP INI Environment Variables image

Flexible Docker Images with PHP INI Environment Variables

Read article
Dynamic Form Validation in Laravel with prohibited_if image

Dynamic Form Validation in Laravel with prohibited_if

Read article
Add Approvals to Your Laravel Application image

Add Approvals to Your Laravel Application

Read article
Enhancing Data Processing with Laravel's transform() Method image

Enhancing Data Processing with Laravel's transform() Method

Read article
Get Xdebug Working With Docker and PHP 8.4 in One Minute image

Get Xdebug Working With Docker and PHP 8.4 in One Minute

Read article