Validation

Validation is performed on the input data before it is cast to the appropriate types. To make your DTO self-validating, you must use the Mass6\FlexibleDTO\Validation\ValidatesProperties trait in your DTO class. If validation fails, an Illuminate\Validation\ValidationException will be thrown.

Validation Rules

Validation rules are defined in the getRules() method. This method should return an array of rules, where the key is the name of the property and the value is the validation rule. Validation rules are defined using Laravel validation rules.

use Mass6\FlexibleDTO\DTO;
use Mass6\FlexibleDTO\Validation\ValidatesProperties;

class MyDTO extends DataTransferObject
{
    use ValidatesProperties;

    protected function allowedProperties(): array
    {
        return [
            'movie',
            'releaseDate',
            'rating',
        ];
    }

    protected function getRules(): array
    {
        return [
            'movie' => 'required|string',
            'releaseDate' => 'required|date',
            'rating' => 'required|numeric',
        ];
    }
}

Custom Validation Messages

Custom validation messages can be defined in the getMessages() method. This method should return an array of messages, where the key is the name of the property and the value is the validation message. Messages are defined using Laravel validation messages syntax.

use Mass6\FlexibleDTO\DTO;
use Mass6\FlexibleDTO\Validation\ValidatesProperties;

class MyDTO extends DataTransferObject
{
    use ValidatesProperties;

    protected function allowedProperties(): array
    {
        return [
            'movie',
            'releaseDate',
            'rating',
        ];
    }

    protected function getRules(): array
    {
        return [
            'movie' => 'required|string',
            'releaseDate' => 'required|date',
            'rating' => 'required|numeric',
        ];
    }

    protected function getMessages(): array
    {
        return [
            'movie.required' => 'The movie title is required.',
            'releaseDate.required' => 'The release date is required.',
            'rating.required' => 'The rating is required.',
        ];
    }
}