Laravel Model Data

Serialize arbitrary attributes that don’t have dedicated columns into a JSON data field stored in a polymorphic model_datas table.

This package allows you to:

• Store flexible, schema-less data per model
• Access virtual attributes like native Eloquent properties
• Keep your core tables clean while supporting dynamic fields
• Use deterministic 32-character keys for efficient indexing

✨ Features

• Transparent virtual attributes ($model->color)
• External storage via polymorphic model_datas table
• Deterministic 32-char hashed keys (md5)
• Supports multiple data namespaces via data_type
• Fully compatible with Eloquent casting
• Query support for JSON attributes

📦 Installation

composer require centrex/laravel-model-data
php artisan vendor:publish --tag="model-data-migrations"
php artisan migrate

Usage

1. Add the trait to your model

use Centrex\ModelData\Concerns\HasModelData;

class Product extends Model
{
    use HasModelData;
}

2. Virtual Attributes (Transparent Mode)

$product = Product::create(['name' => 'Widget']);

// Assign attributes that don't exist as columns
$product->color = 'red';
$product->weight = 1.5;
$product->is_featured = true;

$product->save();

// Retrieve — fully transparent, works like regular attributes

$product = Product::find(1);

echo $product->color;       // red
echo $product->weight;      // 1.5
echo $product->is_featured; // true

3. Structured Data (Explicit Mode)

You can also store grouped data explicitly:

$product->putData('settings', [
    'currency' => 'USD',
    'stock_alert' => true,
]);

$product->putData('seo', [
    'title' => 'Best Product',
    'description' => 'Top quality item',
]);

Retrieve

$settings = $product->getData('settings');

$currency = $product->getDataValue('settings', 'currency');

4. Check / Delete

$product->hasData('settings');     // true
$product->forgetData('settings');  // deletes record

5. Query Virtual Attributes

$column = (new Product())->getColumnForQuery('color');

Product::whereRaw("{$column} = ?", ['red'])->get();

6. Casting Support

Works seamlessly with Laravel casts:

protected $casts = [
    'is_featured' => 'boolean',
    'tags' => 'array',
];

⚙️ How It Works

Storage Model

Each record in model_datas represents:

model_type + model_id + data_type → unique key (md5)

Example:

Product|15|settings → md5 → 32-char key

Data Structure

{
  "color": "red",
  "weight": 1.5,
  "is_featured": true
}

🧠 Design Modes

1. Transparent Mode (default)

• Works like native attributes
• Best for dynamic fields

$product->color = 'red';

2. Explicit Mode (recommended for structure)

• Namespaced data storage
• Better for large systems (ERP, SaaS)

$product->putData('settings', [...]);

🏗️ Advanced Usage

Multiple Data Types

$product->putData('pricing', [...]);
$product->putData('inventory', [...]);
$product->putData('analytics', [...]);

Each stored separately but linked to the same model.

Access Nested Values

$product->getDataValue('settings', 'notifications.email');

⚡ Performance Notes

• Primary key is fixed 32-char string
• Indexed for fast lookup
• No joins required for simple access
• JSON queries supported natively (MySQL / PostgreSQL)

⚠️ Best Practices

• Prefer explicit mode for complex systems
• Avoid overloading with deeply nested JSON
• Keep frequently queried fields as real columns

🧪 Testing

composer test        # full suite
composer test:unit   # pest only
composer test:types  # phpstan
composer lint        # pint

🔄 Migration Strategy (from inline JSON)

If you're migrating from a data column:

1. Move JSON to model_datas
2. Drop old column
3. Add trait
4. Done

Changelog

Please see CHANGELOG for more information on what has changed recently.

Credits

• centrex
• All Contributors

License

The MIT License (MIT). Please see License File for more information.