Laravel simplifies web development with its request-response system. Here’s a simple guide to how it works in Laravel 11.
How Laravel 11 Handles Requests
1. Entry Point
User requests go to public/index.php, the starting point for all processing.
2. Middleware
Middleware filters requests:
Examples: Authentication, maintenance checks.
Purpose: Validate or modify requests, or return early responses.
3. Routes
Laravel matches requests to routes defined in routes/web.php or routes/api.php:
Route::get('/welcome', fn() => 'Welcome to Laravel!');
If no route matches, a 404 error is returned.
4. Controllers
Controllers handle logic:
class WelcomeController extends Controller
{
public function index()
{
return view('welcome');
}
}
5. Responses
Responses can include:
Views: Rendered with Blade templates.
JSON: Ideal for APIs.
Redirects: Navigate users to other routes.
Example:
return response('Hello!', 200)->header('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
Key Features
Request Access
Get user input easily:
$request->input('name');
$request->query('page');
Flexible Responses
Create custom responses:
response('Hello!')->header('X-Custom', 'Value');
return response()->download('file.pdf');
Custom Middleware
Add specific request filters, like logging or access control.
Simple Example
Route
Route::post('/submit', [FormController::class, 'submit']);
Controller
class FormController extends Controller
{
public function submit(Request $request)
{
$data = $request->validate([
'name' => 'required|string|max:255',
'email' => 'required|email',
]);
return response()->json(['message' => 'Form submitted!']);
}
}
Why It Matters
Efficiency: Handle requests smoothly.
Scalability: Grow your app with ease.
User-Friendly: Deliver better experiences.
Conclusion
Laravel 11’s request-response system makes development simple and efficient. Master it to build powerful, scalable applications effortlessly.