Creating a REST API server with PHP, Laravel and MySQL

Name: Creating a REST API server with PHP, Laravel and MySQL
Rating: 4.6 (24 reviews)

Project-based guide to creating production-ready Laravel REST API servers.

Created byAfaan Bilal

Last updated 7/2023

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Learn about Laravel and setup a new Laravel project
Designing the database structure and API for a REST API server
API authentication using Laravel Sanctum API tokens
Creating models, migrations, controllers, routes and resources in Laravel
Pagination, Sorting, Searching and Filtering data
Creating production-ready API servers

Course content

6 sections • 33 lectures • 1h 7m total length

Introduction0:56
Project Setup2:13
Install php 8.1+ and composer, then create a Laravel rest api server named task manager with authentication, migrations, routing, and queues, opened in VS Code.
Laravel Directory Structure3:48
Project Objectives1:00
Database Structure1:25
GitHub Repository0:13

Design the API1:26
Design a Laravel REST API by mapping users, lists, and tasks to routes, including authentication, CRUD for lists and tasks, and a status update endpoint.
Laravel Request Path1:21
Creating our first Route2:12
Learn to run a Laravel development server with artisan serve, then create your first route in web routes using a closure or function to return a text response.
Creating our first Controller2:11
Understanding Models3:50
Explore how Laravel models interact with the database via ORM, with the user model extending Authenticatable and traits like Sanctum API tokens and factory.
Running Migrations2:47
GitHub Repository0:11

Postman Note0:13
Authentication: Sign Up7:04
Please note: If you're seeing the Laravel default page instead of the success JSON response, please make sure that you have added the following request headers in Postman:

Accept: application/json
Content-Type: application/json

Thanks to Johan for pointing this out.
Authentication: Sign In2:31
Authentication: Sign Out1:28
Quick Refactor3:42
Refactor authentication responses to standardize sign in, sign up, sign out, remove duplication, enable http codes via base controller error and success methods, and group auth routes under a prefix.
GitHub Repository0:11

Implementing Pagination1:59
Implementing Sorting2:11
Implementing Searching1:44
Implement searching for task lists and tasks by title, status, and details using like operator and where clauses, following pagination and sorting. Tests demonstrate filtering by ABC, D3, and T1.
Implementing Filtering1:00
Implement filtering by status using a where clause to return matching tasks. Validate statuses to error on invalid values and demonstrate filtering by in progress, todo, and done.
GitHub Repository0:11
Conclusion0:59

Requirements

Basic understanding of programming concepts.
Basic understanding of PHP and object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts.
Familiarity with web development concepts (HTTP).
Basic knowledge relational databases.
Experience with version control systems (Git) is helpful but not required.

Description

This course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to build robust and scalable RESTful API servers using the powerful combination of PHP, Laravel, and MySQL. Whether you are a seasoned developer or a beginner looking to dive into backend development, this course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of building RESTful APIs and how to leverage the PHP, Laravel, and MySQL ecosystem effectively.

Throughout this course, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of building a REST API server from scratch using industry best practices and the latest techniques. You will start by exploring the fundamentals of REST architecture and API design principles, gaining a solid foundation for building efficient and scalable APIs.

As you progress, you will learn how to set up a development environment with PHP, Laravel, and MySQL, ensuring you have all the necessary tools to build your REST API server. You will discover the power of Laravel, a popular PHP framework renowned for its elegance and simplicity, and how it streamlines the development process for building APIs.

The course will cover essential topics such as routing, request handling, validation, authentication, and authorization. You will learn how to handle common API tasks, including data retrieval, creation, updating, and deletion through the use of HTTP verbs and RESTful conventions. In addition, you will explore advanced concepts such as pagination, searching, filtering, and sorting to enhance the functionality and user experience of your API.

With MySQL as the database management system, you will delve into database integration and learn how to leverage Laravel's ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) capabilities, known as Eloquent, to perform database operations seamlessly. You will gain a deep understanding of how to structure database schemas, establish relationships between entities, and optimize queries for optimal performance.

Throughout the course, you will also be introduced to common challenges faced in API development and learn strategies to handle errors, implement rate limiting, and secure your API using industry-standard practices. You will explore techniques to test and debug your API server, ensuring its reliability and stability.

By the end of this course, you will have the confidence and skills to create a fully functional REST API server using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL. You will have a solid grasp of API design principles, best practices for development, and an understanding of how to overcome common challenges in the process. Whether you are building APIs for web or mobile applications, this course will empower you to deliver high-quality, efficient, and scalable solutions.

Note: This course does not cover frontend development or advanced database administration topics. It focuses solely on building REST API servers using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL.

Who this course is for:

Beginner Developers: Individuals who are new to backend development and want to gain a comprehensive understanding of building RESTful API servers using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL.
Web Developers: Professionals with experience in web development who wish to expand their skill set and learn how to create scalable and efficient APIs using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL.
PHP Developers: Developers already familiar with PHP who want to leverage the Laravel framework and MySQL database to build robust RESTful API servers.
Laravel Enthusiasts: Developers who have experience with the Laravel framework and want to deepen their knowledge specifically in the context of building RESTful APIs.
Backend Developers: Professionals working on backend development who want to enhance their skills in API design, development, and integration with PHP, Laravel, and MySQL.
Software Engineers: Engineers interested in learning how to build RESTful APIs using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL to create backend systems and provide data services to frontend applications.
Mobile App Developers: Developers building mobile applications that require server-side APIs and want to learn how to create secure and scalable RESTful API servers using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL.
Freelancers and Entrepreneurs: Individuals who work as freelancers or are starting their own ventures and need to develop RESTful API servers for their applications, websites, or services.
Technology Enthusiasts: Anyone with a passion for technology and a desire to learn about API development using PHP, Laravel, and MySQL, regardless of their background or professional experience.

Creating a REST API server with PHP, Laravel and MySQL

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction6 lectures • 10min

Laravel Basics7 lectures • 14min

Authentication6 lectures • 15min

User Profile3 lectures • 5min

Implementing the API5 lectures • 16min

Pagination, Sorting, Searching and Filtering6 lectures • 8min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: