Laravel create or update without two queries

Question

I'm trying to use one form for both creates and updates. Both actions save through this method:

public function store() {
    $data = Input::all();
    $data['company_id'] = Auth::user()->company_id;
    $validator = Validator::make($data, Feature::$rules);

    if($validator->fails()) {
        return Redirect::back()->withErrors($validator)->withInput();
    }

    Feature::firstOrNew(['id' => Input::get('id')])->update($data);

    return Redirect::route('features.index');
}

How can I rewrite this line:

Feature::firstOrNew(['id' => Input::get('id')])->update($data);

So that it doesn't fetch the object from the database first? There's no need for that; I'm not doing anything with it. It should either issue a INSERT if Input::get('id') is set, or an UPDATE if it's not.

Answer 1

This is what I use:

Model::updateOrCreate(
   ['primary_key' => 8],
   ['field' => 'value', 'another_field' => 'another value']
);

The second parameter is an array of the data for the model you want to save.

Answer 2

If you have all fields unguarded in your model, I think you can do it like this:

$feature = new Feature($data);
$feature->exists = Input::has('id');
$feature->save();

If you have some guarded fields, then you can unguard it first:

$feature = new Feature();
$feature->unguard();
$feature->fill($data);
$feature->exists = Input::has('id');
$feature->reguard();
$feature->save();

The reguard() call is not actually needed if you don't do anything else with the model.

Answer 3

I used to have this problem and created an accepted pull request on Laravel which you can use. Try the code below. The method you will basically need is the findOrNew.

public function store($id=0)
{
    $user = User::findOrNew($id);
    $data = Input::all();

    if (!$user->validate($data)) {
        return Redirect::back()->withInput()->withErrors($user->errors);
    }

    $user->fill($data);
    $user->save();
    return Redirect::to('/')->with('message','Record successfully saved!');
}

My model uses self validation but you can create your own validation like the one you have now.

Answer 4

Find or New based on primary key id

$data = Input::all();
$user = User::findOrNew($id);  // if exist then update else insert
$user->name= $data['user_name'];
$user->save();

First or New based on non-primary key single filed

$user = User::firstOrNew(['field' => $data['value'] ]);
$user->name= $data['user_name'];
$user->save();

First or New based on non-primary key multiple filed

$user = User::firstOrNew([
                     'field1'=>$data['value1'],
                     'field2'=>$data['value2']
                     ]);
$user->name= $data['user_name'];
$user->save();