API resource controllers in Laravel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an API resource controller in Laravel?

An API resource controller in Laravel is a controller that handles HTTP requests for a resource using predefined methods like index, show, store, update, and destroy, following RESTful conventions.

beginner

Which artisan command creates a resource controller in Laravel?

The command is php artisan make:controller NameController --api. The --api flag creates a controller without create and edit methods, suitable for APIs.

beginner

Name the five main methods typically included in a Laravel API resource controller.

The five main methods are: index (list resources), show (show single resource), store (create resource), update (update resource), and destroy (delete resource).

beginner

How do you register an API resource controller route in Laravel?

Use Route::apiResource('resource-name', ResourceController::class); in your routes/api.php file to automatically register routes for all API resource methods.

intermediate

Why does Laravel's API resource controller omit the create and edit methods?

Because APIs usually don't serve HTML forms, the create and edit methods are omitted to keep the controller focused on JSON data handling.

Which method in a Laravel API resource controller is used to update an existing resource?

A store

B update

C show

D index

The update method handles updating an existing resource with new data.

What artisan command creates an API resource controller named 'PostController'?

A php artisan make:api PostController

B php artisan make:controller PostController --resource

C php artisan make:controller PostController

D php artisan make:controller PostController --api

The --api flag creates a resource controller without create and edit methods, ideal for APIs.

Which route registration method automatically creates API routes for a resource controller?

A Route::apiResource()

B Route::resource()

C Route::get()

D Route::post()

Route::apiResource() registers routes for API resource controllers without create/edit routes.

Which HTTP verb is typically handled by the 'destroy' method in an API resource controller?

A DELETE

B POST

C GET

D PUT

The destroy method handles DELETE requests to remove a resource.

Why might you choose an API resource controller over a full resource controller in Laravel?

A To include HTML form views

B To automatically generate database migrations

C To exclude create and edit methods for API-only use

D To handle file uploads

API resource controllers omit create and edit methods because APIs usually don't serve HTML forms.

Explain how Laravel API resource controllers help organize your API routes and methods.

Think about how Laravel groups related API actions in one controller.

Describe the steps to create and use an API resource controller in Laravel from artisan command to route registration.

Start from creating the controller, then connect it to routes.