Implement Soft Deletes for Logical Data Deletion in Eloquent

// In app/Models/Comment.php
namespace App\Models;

use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\SoftDeletes; // Don't forget to import this!

class Comment extends Model
{
    use SoftDeletes; // Add the trait to your model

    protected $dates = ['deleted_at']; // Optional: specify the column if not default 'deleted_at'
}

// In a controller or service
use App\Models\Comment;

// Create a new comment
$comment = Comment::create(['content' => 'This is a test comment.', 'user_id' => 1]);
echo "Comment created with ID: " . $comment->id . "
";

// "Delete" the comment (soft delete)
$comment->delete();
echo "Comment ID " . $comment->id . " soft deleted.
";
// Now, Comment::all() will NOT include this comment by default.
// Comment::find($comment->id) will return null.

// Retrieve ALL comments, including soft deleted ones
$allComments = Comment::withTrashed()->get();
echo "Total comments (including soft deleted): " . $allComments->count() . "
";

// Retrieve ONLY soft deleted comments
$trashedComments = Comment::onlyTrashed()->get();
echo "Only trashed comments: " . $trashedComments->count() . "
";

// Restore a soft deleted comment
Comment::withTrashed()->find($comment->id)->restore();
echo "Comment ID " . $comment->id . " restored.
";
// Now, Comment::all() will include this comment again.

// Permanently delete a comment (force delete)
$commentToDelete = Comment::create(['content' => 'Another comment to be force deleted.', 'user_id' => 1]);
echo "Comment created for force deletion with ID: " . $commentToDelete->id . "
";
$commentToDelete->forceDelete();
echo "Comment ID " . $commentToDelete->id . " force deleted permanently.
";
// This comment is now gone from the database.