Mastering Complex Data Validation in Laravel

Laravel Validation Basics

In Laravel, HTTP requests are typically handled in controllers, where validation methods are often housed. For example, let’s say we’re building an inventory software with a simple form that collects item name, SKU, and price. We can validate these fields using Laravel’s built-in validation rules.

$this->validate(request(), [
    'item_name' => 'ax:255',
    'ku' => 'egex:/^[a-zA-Z0-9]+$/',
    'price' => 'equired|numeric',
]);

Validating Simple Nested Attributes

But what if we need to validate more complex data, such as nested attributes? Let’s say we want to add two nested fields to our item field: name and description. We can use dot notation to denote these nested attributes in our validation rules.

$this->validate(request(), [
    'item.name' => 'equired|string',
    'item.description' => 'equired|string',
]);

Validating Arrays and Nested Attributes

Things get even more complicated when we need to validate arrays and nested arrays. Luckily, Laravel provides a simple way to validate these types of data using dot notation and the * character.

$this->validate(request(), [
    'items.*.name' => 'equired|string',
    'items.*.description' => 'equired|string',
]);

Important Rules for Array Validation

When working with arrays, there are several important rules to keep in mind:

• array: Ensures that the input value is an array.
• distinct: Ensures that no element is a duplicate in the array.
• exclude_if, exclude_unless, and exclude_without: Useful rules for conditional validation.
• required and sometimes: Useful rules for validating presence and conditional presence.

Taking Validation to the Next Level

By mastering these advanced validation techniques, you can build more robust and scalable applications with Laravel. Whether you’re building an inventory system, a multi-page form, or a software that allows users to build webpages with repeatable modules, Laravel’s validation system has got you covered.