Returning string data from a relationship only

I have two tables.

Types - Contains three fields: id, name and path
Extensions - Among the fields is one named type_id - relates to the entry in Types

I first need to know the extension in order to get the path for the type. So I have a line of code in my method that looks like this:

// Get path
$ext = Extension::where('extension', $extension)->with('hasType')->first();
$path = $ext->hasType->path;

All I need is the path string. Is there a way to make a query using this relationship, but return only the path string of data I am seeking?

Looking to see what all I can do with these relationships.

Or do I need to create a separate method that does this for me, then return the string back to the method that needs it?

mironmg

7 years ago

Level 6

Hi there

I suggest spending a bit more time on naming relationships. In the extension's model file add a method like this

public function getTypePathAttribute()
{
    return $this->hasType->path // This relationship should be renamed to ->type instead of ->hasType.
}

and then use it in code like this

$extension->type_path;

If you think you're gonna use it a lot in your code you can append it to the model using $appends https://laravel.com/docs/5.8/eloquent-serialization

protected $appends = ['type_path'];

lara68236

7 years ago

Level 1

Thanks for the reply.

I understand your thoughts about naming. Which probably comes easy with experience. This was my first time using relationships, so I sort of went off rails naming-wise, since I wasn't even sure how it all worked. Hence also the question at hand.

Thank you again for your thoughts.

Snapey

7 years ago

Level 122

If Extension has a column called type_id then this will be a belongsTo

Which means the relationship in Type is either hasOne or hasMany

So in Extension.php

public function type()
{
    return $this->belongsTo(Type::class)
}

From extension to get path

$path = $extension->type()->path;

ps. public function getTypePathAttribute() is an accessor not a relationship, so don't know what that was all about.

luis_carlos

7 years ago

Level 6

Did you trying using select()?

$ext = Extension::where('extension', $extension)->with('hasType')->select('path')->first();
$path = $ext->path;

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