Query and Update JSON Columns in Laravel Eloquent Models

// 1. In your migration file (e.g., add_settings_to_users_table.php):
Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
    $table->json('settings')->nullable();
});

// 2. In your Eloquent Model (e.g., App\Models\User.php):
namespace App\Models;

use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;

class User extends Model
{
    protected $casts = [
        'settings' => 'array', // Automatically cast 'settings' JSON column to a PHP array/object
    ];

    protected $fillable = ['name', 'email', 'password', 'settings'];
}

// 3. Usage examples in a Controller or elsewhere:
use App\Models\User;

// Create a user with JSON settings
$user = User::create([
    'name' => 'Alice',
    'email' => '[email protected]',
    'password' => bcrypt('password'),
    'settings' => [
        'theme' => 'dark',
        'notifications' => [
            'email' => true,
            'sms' => false,
        ],
    ],
]);

// Retrieve and access JSON data
$user = User::find(1);
echo $user->settings['theme']; // Output: dark
echo $user->settings['notifications']['email']; // Output: 1 (true)

// Update JSON data directly
$user->settings['theme'] = 'light';
$user->settings['notifications']['sms'] = true;
$user->save(); // Laravel automatically detects JSON changes and updates

// Query JSON data (where conditions)
$darkThemeUsers = User::where('settings->theme', 'dark')->get();
$emailNotifUsers = User::where('settings->notifications->email', true)->get();

// Query JSON data (whereJsonContains) for array values
// Example: If 'tags' was a JSON array column like ['laravel', 'php']
// User::whereJsonContains('tags', 'laravel')->get();