Public disk and symbolic links in Laravel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of the 'public' disk in Laravel?

The 'public' disk in Laravel is used to store files that should be publicly accessible, like images or documents, typically stored in the storage/app/public directory and linked to public/storage.

beginner

What command creates a symbolic link from public/storage to storage/app/public in Laravel?

The command php artisan storage:link creates a symbolic link so that files stored in storage/app/public are accessible from the web via public/storage.

intermediate

Why do we use symbolic links for the public disk in Laravel?

Symbolic links let Laravel serve files stored outside the public folder securely by linking them inside the public directory, making them accessible via URLs without exposing the whole storage folder.

beginner

Where are files stored when using the 'public' disk in Laravel by default?

Files are stored in the storage/app/public directory by default when using the 'public' disk in Laravel.

beginner

What happens if you don't run php artisan storage:link after storing files on the public disk?

If you don't run php artisan storage:link, files in storage/app/public won't be accessible from the web because the symbolic link public/storage won't exist.

What does the php artisan storage:link command do in Laravel?

A Creates a symbolic link from <code>public/storage</code> to <code>storage/app/public</code>

B Deletes all files in the public disk

C Copies files from <code>storage/app/public</code> to <code>public/storage</code>

D Creates a backup of the storage folder

The command creates a symbolic link so files in storage/app/public are accessible via public/storage.

Where are files stored when using Laravel's 'public' disk by default?

A <code>storage/app/public</code>

B <code>public/storage</code>

C <code>resources/public</code>

D <code>storage/public</code>

Files are stored in storage/app/public and accessed via the symbolic link.

Why is a symbolic link used for the public disk in Laravel?

A To encrypt files in storage

B To copy files automatically

C To make files accessible via the web without exposing the entire storage folder

D To delete old files

Symbolic links provide secure access to files by linking only the public folder.

What happens if you try to access files stored on the public disk without creating the symbolic link?

A Files will be deleted automatically

B Files won't be accessible via the web

C Files will be copied to the public folder

D Files will be accessible without any issue

Without the symbolic link, the web server cannot access files stored outside the public directory.

Which Laravel filesystem disk is typically linked to public/storage?

A s3

B local

C ftp

D public

The 'public' disk is linked to public/storage via a symbolic link.

Explain how Laravel uses the public disk and symbolic links to serve files publicly.

Think about where files are stored and how they become accessible via the web.

Describe what would happen if the symbolic link for the public disk is missing and how to fix it.

Consider the role of the symbolic link in file accessibility.