Soft delete can be set up by default in Laravel by creating a base model with the SoftDeletes trait. 1) Create a BaseModel with SoftDeletes and extend it for other models. 2) Add softDeletes() to migration files. 3) Consider performance impacts and query complexities, and manage soft deleted records regularly.

Setting up soft delete by default in Laravel is a common requirement for many developers who want to ensure data integrity and provide a safety net for accidental deletions. In this article, we'll dive into how you can implement soft delete automatically across your models, sharing some personal insights and practical tips along the way.

Let's start with the basics: soft delete in Laravel allows you to "delete" records without actually removing them from the database. Instead, a deleted_at timestamp is added to the record, effectively marking it as deleted but still keeping it in the database. This feature is incredibly useful for scenarios where you might need to recover data or maintain historical records.

To set up soft delete by default, you need to modify your model and potentially your migration files. Here's how you can do it:

First, let's look at how to implement soft delete in a single model:

use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\SoftDeletes;

class User extends Model
{
    use SoftDeletes;

    protected $dates = ['deleted_at'];
}

In this example, we're using the SoftDeletes trait and adding deleted_at to the $dates array. This tells Laravel to handle soft deletes for this model.

But what if you want to apply this to all models by default? One approach is to create a base model that all other models extend:

use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\SoftDeletes;

class BaseModel extends Model
{
    use SoftDeletes;

    protected $dates = ['deleted_at'];
}

class User extends BaseModel
{
    // No need to repeat the soft delete setup
}

This method ensures that all models inheriting from BaseModel will automatically have soft delete enabled. It's a clean and efficient way to implement this feature across your application.

However, there are some considerations and potential pitfalls to be aware of:

• Database Migrations: You'll need to add a deleted_at column to your tables. You can do this by modifying your migration files to include:

$table->softDeletes();

• Performance Impact: Soft deletes can lead to larger database sizes over time, as records are not actually deleted. You'll need to periodically clean up these records or implement a strategy for managing them.

• Query Complexity: When querying data, you'll need to be mindful of soft deleted records. Laravel provides methods like withTrashed() and onlyTrashed() to handle these cases, but it's easy to overlook them, leading to unexpected results.

• Model Configuration: If you have models that should not use soft delete, you'll need to override the behavior in those specific models. This can be done by not extending the BaseModel or by explicitly disabling soft deletes:

class NoSoftDeleteModel extends Model
{
    public $withTrashed = true;
}

From my experience, setting up soft delete by default can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides a safety net and can be a lifesaver in production environments where data loss is a critical issue. On the other hand, it requires careful management and can lead to performance issues if not handled properly.

Here are some best practices and tips I've learned along the way:

• Regular Cleanup: Schedule regular jobs to clean up soft deleted records that are no longer needed. This can be done using Laravel's scheduling features:

$schedule->command('model:prune')->daily();

• Audit Trails: Consider implementing an audit trail system alongside soft deletes to track who deleted what and when. This can be invaluable for compliance and debugging.

• Testing: Always test your soft delete functionality thoroughly, especially in scenarios where data recovery is crucial. Use Laravel's testing features to simulate soft deletes and verify that your application behaves as expected.

In conclusion, setting up soft delete by default in Laravel is a powerful feature that can enhance your application's data management. By following the steps outlined above and keeping in mind the potential challenges, you can implement this feature effectively and safely. Remember, the key is to balance the benefits of soft deletes with the need for performance and data integrity.

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