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Casts take simple values and transform them into complex types. For example, 16-05-1994T00:00:00+00 could be cast into a Carbon object.

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Cast Interface

Implement the Cast interface: 
interface Cast
{
    public function cast(DataProperty $property, mixed $value, array $properties, CreationContext $context): mixed;
}

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Parameters

  • property - DataProperty object representing the property being cast (read more)
  • value - The value to be cast
  • properties - Array of current properties for creating the data object
  • creationContext - Context containing:
    • dataClass - The data class being created
    • validationStrategy - The validation strategy in use
    • mapPropertyNames - Whether property names should be mapped
    • disableMagicalCreation - Whether to use magical creation methods
    • ignoredMagicalMethods - Which magical methods are ignored
    • casts - Collection of global casts

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Return Value

Return the casted value, or an Uncastable object if the cast cannot be performed.

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Handling Null

Casts never receive null values. The package keeps null as null to avoid creating values out of thin air. Use magic methods if you need to replace null values.

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Castables

Allow value objects to define their own casting logic: 
class ForgotPasswordRequest extends Data
{
    public function __construct(
        #[WithCastable(Email::class)]
        public Email $email,
    ) {
    }
}

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Castable with Arguments

Pass arguments to the castable: 
class DuplicateEmailCheck extends Data
{
    public function __construct(
        #[WithCastable(Email::class, normalize: true)]
        public Email $email,
    ) {
    }
}

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Castable Implementation

Implement the Castable interface: 
<?php
namespace Spatie\LaravelData\Tests\Fakes\Castables;

use Spatie\LaravelData\Casts\Cast;
use Spatie\LaravelData\Casts\Castable;
use Spatie\LaravelData\Support\Creation\CreationContext;
use Spatie\LaravelData\Support\DataProperty;

class Email implements Castable
{
    public function __construct(public string $email) {

    }

    public static function dataCastUsing(...$arguments): Cast
    {
        return new class implements Cast {
            public function cast(DataProperty $property, mixed $value, array $properties, CreationContext $context): mixed
            {
                return new Email($value);
            }
        };
    }
}

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Casting Iterable Values

Cast items in arrays or Collections by implementing IterableItemCast: 
interface IterableItemCast
{
    public function castIterableItem(DataProperty $property, mixed $value, array $properties, CreationContext $context): mixed;
}
The castIterableItem method is called for each item. Check $property->type->iterableItemType to get the target type.

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Combining Casts and Transformers

Create a class that both casts and transforms: 
class ToUpperCastAndTransformer implements Cast, Transformer
{
    public function cast(DataProperty $property, mixed $value, array $properties, CreationContext $context): string
    {
        return strtoupper($value);
    }
    
    public function transform(DataProperty $property, mixed $value, TransformationContext $context): string
    {
        return strtoupper($value);
    }
}
Use with the WithCastAndTransformer attribute: 
class SongData extends Data
{
    public function __construct(
        public string $title,
        #[WithCastAndTransformer(SomeCastAndTransformer::class)]
        public string $artist,
    ) {
    }
}