> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/spatie/laravel-data/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get Data From a Class Quickly

> Use the WithData trait to quickly generate data objects from models and requests

The `WithData` trait enables support for the `getData()` method on Models, Requests, or any class that can be magically converted to a data object.

## Using with Models

Add the trait and specify the data class:

```php theme={null}
class Song extends Model
{
    use WithData;
    
    protected $dataClass = SongData::class;
}
```

Quickly get the data object:

```php theme={null}
Song::firstOrFail($id)->getData(); // A SongData object
```

## Using with Form Requests

For FormRequests, use a method instead of a property:

```php theme={null}
class SongRequest extends FormRequest
{
    use WithData;
    
    protected function dataClass(): string
    {
        return SongData::class;
    }
}
```

Use in a controller:

```php theme={null}
class SongController
{
    public function __invoke(SongRequest $request): SongData
    {
        $data = $request->getData();
    
        $song = Song::create($data->toArray());
        
        return $data;
    }
}
```

## Benefits

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Clean Controllers" icon="broom">
    Reduce boilerplate by calling `getData()` instead of `SongData::from($model)`
  </Card>

  <Card title="Type Safety" icon="shield">
    The data class is defined once and reused consistently
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discoverability" icon="magnifying-glass">
    IDEs can autocomplete the data class from the model/request
  </Card>

  <Card title="Validation" icon="check">
    Form requests automatically validate before creating the data object
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Complete Example

```php theme={null}
// Model
class Song extends Model
{
    use WithData;
    
    protected $dataClass = SongData::class;
}

// Request
class StoreSongRequest extends FormRequest
{
    use WithData;
    
    protected function dataClass(): string
    {
        return SongData::class;
    }
    
    public function rules(): array
    {
        return [
            'title' => 'required|string',
            'artist' => 'required|string',
        ];
    }
}

// Controller
class SongController extends Controller
{
    public function store(StoreSongRequest $request)
    {
        $data = $request->getData();
        
        $song = Song::create($data->toArray());
        
        return $song->getData();
    }
    
    public function show(int $id)
    {
        return Song::findOrFail($id)->getData();
    }
}
```

<Note>
  The `getData()` method respects all the same creation rules as calling `SongData::from()` directly, including magic methods and validation.
</Note>