Queries

Queries are a unified way to access different kinds of information of the Sunhill Framework. The query system is intended to be similar to database queries of laravel. The main difference is, that its possible to query entities that are not stored in a database. All queries are performed on a Pooled record property.

General usage

Due the fact that all queries are performed on pooled record properties, the searching process has to be performed by the storage. Normally it should be transparent to the user although there might be some missing functionallity in some features. Internally the queries use the Parser-subsystem. See Writing own queries.

Common query functions

As in QueryBuilder it is possible to build chains of request elements (like ->where('this','=','that')->orderBy('something')->offset(2)->limit(2)).

Terminology

Due the fact that queries could be performed on many entities there are some terms that are used:

• record is a single entity (like a database entry, a tag, a class, a plugin, etc.)
• records are all entities (or at least those that fit a certain criteria)

= Finalizing call

All queries need a finalizing call, that indicates what information should be retrieved or what action should be performed.

Retrieving data

One main aspect of using queries is to retrieve data. Due the fact that queries are performed on pooled record properties there are always several ways to get data:

count()

Count returns the number of records of the given query.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->count();

returns the number of all records of SampleEntity.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->where('name','test')->count();

returns the number of SampleEntity Records that have the name 'test'

Getting the records

first()

This method returns an instance of PooledRecordProperty and fills it with the fields of the first found record that matches the condition. If not record exists it raises an exception.

firstIfExists()

Like first() it returns the first record matching the conditions. If none exists null is returned.

only()

This method expects excactly one result for the query. If there is none or more than one, an exception is raised.

Getting the fields

When using the fields() statement in the query only these columns are returned when using first(), firstIfExists(), only() and get(). Note: When using firstID(), firstIDIfExists(), onlyID() and getIDs() with a fields() statement, the fields() statement is ignored and no warning is yielded.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->fields('id')->first();

Returns for example 1

A general note on first(), firstIfExists(), only() and get()

Return type

first() and get() return the entity or a list of entities respectively. Normally a single entity is a StdClass with the givel columns as elements. In some cases it is useful to retun a different object.

Column list

There is an optional parameter $fields to first() that could either take a single string or an array of strings. If $fields is a string only the result of that field is returned.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->first('id');

Returns for example 1

If $fields is an array of strings a StdClass object is returned where the elements represent the given fields.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->first(['id','name']);

Returns {id: 1, name: 'test'}

first(?string|?array $column_list = null)

Returns the first record of the given query.

Warning: When there is no order() statement, the result could be unpredictable.

If the given query return no records at all an exception is raised.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->first();

Returns the first record of SampleEntity.

SampleEntity::query()->where('name','test')->first();

Returns the first record of SampleEntity where the name is 'test';

SampleEntity::query()->where('name','not existing')->first();

Throws an exception when no record has the name 'non existing'.

firstIfExists(?string|?array $column_list = null)

Returns the first record of the given query or null if none exists.

Warning: When there is no order() statement, the result could be unpredictable.

If the given query return no records at all null is returned.

Example:

SampleEntity::query()->first();

Returns the first record of SampleEntity.

SampleEntity::query()->where('name','test')->first();

Returns the first record of SampleEntity where the name is 'test';

SampleEntity::query()->where('name','not existing')->first();

Null is returned.

get(?string|?array $column_list = null)

Returns all entities that match the given condition.

only(?string|?array $column_list = null)

The query must return exactly one result and this result is returned. Same as first() except that it raises an exception when no or more than one result is returned.

Example:

SampleEntity()::where('id','=',1)->only();

Returns the entity with the id 1 (or raises an exception when this id does not exist.

delete()

Deletes all entries that match the given condition or throws an exception if the entity is read only.

Example:

SampleEntity()::where('id','=',1)->delete();

Deletes the entity with the id 1.

Note: If no entity matches the given condition nothing is done an no exception is raised

update(array $fields)

Updates all entries that match the given condition or throws an exception if the entity is read only.

Example:

SampleEntity()::where('id','=',1)->update(['payload'=>'abc']);

Sets the field payload to "abc" on the entity with the id 1 .

Note: If no entity matches the given condition nothing is done an no exception is raised

insert(array $fields)

Inserts a new record in the list.

List of Queries

• ORM Query
• Classes Query
• Tags Query
• Attributes Query
• Properties Query

Writing own queries

For details about writing own queries see here.