how to build fluent query by array of criterias in Laravel - laravel

Question

If I store in DB criterias what I want to use to build and filter queries - how to build query with Laravel Fluent Query Builder? Maybe you can give advice for refactoring this array for adding OR/AND to make complex filter by such conditions? Thanks!
For example if I read from database these criteria and made array:
$array = array(
'0' => array(
'table' => 'users',
'column' => 'name',
'criteria' => 'LIKE'
'value' => 'John'
),
'1' => array(
'table' => 'groups',
'column' => 'name',
'criteria' => 'NOT LIKE'
'value' => 'Administrator'
),
...
)

Answer 1

If you are really set on doing it your way, make a switch statement to set the flag for the index of the array
switch ($query)
{
case 0:
$this->get_data($x);
break;
case 1:
$this->get_data($x);
break;
case 2:
$this->get_data($x);
break;
default:
Return FALSE;
}
public function get_data($x){
$value = DB::table($array[$x]['table'])
->where($array[$x]['name'], $array[$x]['criteria'], $array[$x]['value'])
->get();
Return $value;
}
However, I would not advise this at all. Instead of storing the query filters in an array I feel you should just make them methods in your model. This will help with readability, modularity, and having reusable code.
public function get_user_by_name($name){
$user = DB::table('users')->where('name', 'LIKE', '%'.$name.'%')->get();
return $user;
}
public function get_group_by_name($name, $criteria = 'LIKE'){
$groups = DB::table('groups')->where('name', $criteria, '%'.$name.'%')->get();
return $groups;
}
http://laravel.com/docs/database/fluent