**Course Title:** Mastering Laravel Framework: Building Scalable Modern Web Applications **Section Title:** RESTful API Development with Laravel **Topic:** Building APIs in Laravel with resourceful controllers ## Introduction to Resourceful Controllers In Laravel, resourceful controllers are used to handle CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations for a specific resource. They provide a simple and structured way to organize API endpoints and implement business logic. In this topic, we will explore how to build APIs in Laravel using resourceful controllers. ## Creating Resourceful Controllers To create a resourceful controller, use the `--resource` flag with the `make:controller` command: ```bash php artisan make:controller --resource PostController ``` This command creates a `PostController` class that extends the `Controller` class and includes methods for handling CRUD operations. ## Controller Methods A resourceful controller includes the following methods: * `index()`: Handles GET requests to retrieve a list of resources. * `create()`: Handles GET requests to create a new resource (returns a view with a form). * `store()`: Handles POST requests to create a new resource. * `show()`: Handles GET requests to retrieve a specific resource. * `edit()`: Handles GET requests to edit an existing resource (returns a view with a form). * `update()`: Handles PATCH or PUT requests to update an existing resource. * `destroy()`: Handles DELETE requests to delete a resource. ## Example Controller Here's an example `PostController` class that includes methods for handling CRUD operations: ```php // app/Http/Controllers/PostController.php namespace App\Http\Controllers; use App\Models\Post; use Illuminate\Http\Request; class PostController extends Controller { public function index() { $posts = Post::all(); return response()->json($posts); } public function create() { // Not implemented for API only } public function store(Request $request) { $post = Post::create($request->all()); return response()->json($post, 201); } public function show(Post $post) { return response()->json($post); } public function edit(Post $post) { // Not implemented for API only } public function update(Request $request, Post $post) { $post->update($request->all()); return response()->json($post); } public function destroy(Post $post) { $post->delete(); return response()->json(null, 204); } } ``` ## Routes for Resourceful Controllers To define routes for a resourceful controller, use the `Route::resource()` method: ```php // routes/api.php Route::resource('posts', PostController::class); ``` This defines routes for the `PostController` class and maps them to the following URIs: * `GET /posts`: calls the `index()` method * `POST /posts`: calls the `store()` method * `GET /posts/{post}`: calls the `show()` method * `PUT|PATCH /posts/{post}`: calls the `update()` method * `DELETE /posts/{post}`: calls the `destroy()` method ## Partially generated resourceful controllers Sometimes you don't want to generate the entire resourceful controllers for CRUD operations. Laravel provides an easy way to generate specific routes: * `Route::get('resourceUri', 'name.of.the.get.method');` * `Route::store('resourceUri', 'name.of.the.store.method');` * `Route::update('resourceUri', 'name.of.the.update.method');` * `Route::delete('resourceUri', 'name.of.the.destroy.method');` * [More Options](https://laravel.com/api/8.x/Illuminate/Routing/Router.html#method_get) To learn more, you can check the [Laravel documentation for resourceful controllers](https://laravel.com/docs/8.x/controllers#resource-controllers) and [API routes](https://laravel.com/docs/8.x/controllers#route-model-binding). **Try to:** 1. Create a resourceful controller for handling CRUD operations for the `Post` model. 2. Define routes for the `PostController` class using the `Route::resource()` method. **Don't forget to leave a comment if you have any questions or if you'd like us to elaborate on any of the concepts!** **Next Topic: Handling API requests and responses (JSON, XML) in RESTful API Development with Laravel.**