Resource routes in Laravel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a resource route in Laravel?

A resource route in Laravel automatically creates multiple routes for common actions like viewing, creating, updating, and deleting resources, following RESTful conventions.

beginner

Which HTTP methods does a Laravel resource route handle by default?

GET, POST, PUT/PATCH, DELETE. These correspond to actions like index, store, update, and destroy.

beginner

How do you define a resource route for a controller named 'PostController' in Laravel?

Use the code: Route::resource('posts', PostController::class); This creates all standard routes for posts.

intermediate

Name three route actions automatically created by Laravel resource routes.

index (list all), create (show form), store (save new), show (view one), edit (edit form), update (save changes), destroy (delete).

intermediate

How can you limit the routes generated by a Laravel resource route?

By passing an array with 'only' or 'except' options, e.g., Route::resource('posts', PostController::class)->only(['index', 'show']);

What does Route::resource('books', BookController::class); do?

A Creates multiple routes for CRUD actions on books.

B Creates a single route for listing books.

C Creates routes only for creating and deleting books.

D Creates routes for user authentication.

Resource routes automatically create all standard CRUD routes for the given controller.

Which HTTP method is used by the 'update' action in Laravel resource routes?

A PUT or PATCH

B POST

C GET

D DELETE

The 'update' action uses PUT or PATCH to send updated data to the server.

How do you exclude the 'destroy' route when defining a resource route?

A Use ->remove(['destroy'])

B Use ->only(['destroy'])

C Use ->skip(['destroy'])

D Use ->except(['destroy'])

The 'except' method excludes specified routes from the resource routes.

Which route name corresponds to the 'edit' action in a resource route for 'users'?

A users.create

B users.update

C users.edit

D users.show

The 'edit' action route is named 'users.edit' by Laravel conventions.

What URL does the 'show' action of a resource route for 'products' expect?

A /products

B /products/{product}

C /products/edit

D /products/create

The 'show' action expects a URL with the resource ID, like /products/5.

Explain what Laravel resource routes are and why they are useful.

Think about how many routes you need for common tasks like listing, creating, and deleting.

Describe how to customize which routes are created by a Laravel resource route.

Sometimes you don't need all routes; how do you tell Laravel to skip some?

Practice

1. What does the Route::resource('photos', PhotoController::class) method do in Laravel?

easy

A. Creates multiple routes for common CRUD actions automatically.

B. Creates a single route for the index method only.

C. Creates routes only for the create and edit methods.

D. Deletes all existing routes related to photos.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Route::resource

   This method generates routes for all standard CRUD actions (index, create, store, show, edit, update, destroy) automatically.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect on routes

   It saves time by creating multiple routes with correct HTTP verbs and URLs for the resource controller.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates multiple routes for common CRUD actions automatically. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Resource routes = multiple CRUD routes [OK]

Hint: Resource routes generate all CRUD URLs in one line [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it creates only one route
• Confusing resource with single route methods
• Assuming it deletes routes

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create resource routes for a controller named PostController?

easy

A. Route::resource('posts', 'PostController::class');

B. Route::resource('posts', 'PostController');

C. Route::resource('posts', PostController);

D. Route::resource('posts', PostController::class);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct controller reference syntax

   In Laravel, the controller class should be passed using the ::class constant without quotes.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   Route::resource('posts', PostController::class); correctly uses PostController::class without quotes, which is the modern and recommended syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   Route::resource('posts', PostController::class); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use ControllerName::class without quotes [OK]

Hint: Use ControllerName::class without quotes for resource routes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing controller name as a string with quotes
• Omitting ::class
• Using quotes around ::class

3. Given the route definition Route::resource('books', BookController::class)->only(['index', 'show']);, which URLs will be available?

medium

A. /books/create (GET) and /books/{book}/edit (GET)

B. /books (GET) and /books/{book} (GET)

C. /books (POST) and /books/{book} (DELETE)

D. /books/{book} (PUT) and /books/{book} (PATCH)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the only() method

   The only() method limits resource routes to specified actions. Here, only 'index' and 'show' routes are created.

2. Step 2: Identify routes for index and show

   Index route is GET /books, show route is GET /books/{book}.

3. Final Answer:

   /books (GET) and /books/{book} (GET) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   only(['index','show']) = GET /books and GET /books/{id} [OK]

Hint: only(['index','show']) creates just list and detail GET routes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing HTTP verbs for actions
• Assuming create/edit routes are included
• Mixing POST or DELETE with index/show

4. What is wrong with this route definition?

Route::resource('users', UserController::class)->except('store');

medium

A. The except() method requires an array, not a string.

B. UserController::class should be a string.

C. Resource routes cannot use except() method.

D. The route name 'users' is invalid.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check except() method usage

   The except() method expects an array of action names to exclude, not a single string.

2. Step 2: Identify correct syntax

   It should be except(['store']) with square brackets to pass an array.

3. Final Answer:

   The except() method requires an array, not a string. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use except(['action']) with array brackets [OK]

Hint: Pass array to except(), not a single string [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing string instead of array to except()
• Using quotes incorrectly around controller class
• Thinking except() is not allowed

5. You want to create resource routes for ArticleController but only allow routes for creating, storing, and editing articles. Which is the correct route definition?

hard

A. Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->only(['create', 'store', 'edit']);

B. Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->only(['create', 'edit']);

C. Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->except(['index', 'show', 'update', 'destroy']);

D. Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->except(['store']);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify required actions

   We want routes for create, store, and edit only.

2. Step 2: Use except() to exclude unwanted actions

   Excluding index, show, update, and destroy leaves only create, store, and edit routes.

3. Step 3: Confirm only() option

   Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->only(['create', 'store', 'edit']); correctly includes the store route, but using except() as in Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->except(['index', 'show', 'update', 'destroy']); is also correct and often preferred for excluding unwanted routes.

4. Final Answer:

   Route::resource('articles', ArticleController::class)->except(['index', 'show', 'update', 'destroy']); -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   except(['index','show','update','destroy']) = create, store, edit routes [OK]

Hint: Use except() to exclude unwanted routes for precise control [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only() but missing store route
• Excluding wrong actions
• Confusing create and store routes