Why Laravel return array not working with empty() But worked with count()

Question

I am working with laravel framework project and facing below issue.

Query:

$query = DB::table('test');
$query->select('*');
$query->where('testId = 1');
$result = $query->get();
print_r($result);

Output :

Illuminate\Support\Collection Object
(
    [items:protected] => Array
        (
        )

)

Now I am checking $result have record or not.

if(empty($result))
{
   echo "Not Empty check with empty()";
}

if(count($result) == 0)
{
   echo "Not Empty check with count()";
}

Output:

Not Empty check with count()

Question :

I have used empty() in all the projects but in laravel framework project I am not able to know that why this $result going in count() condition and not going in empty().

Note:

I have read that count() is slow compare to empty() also empty() check variable is set or not so I am using empty() in all return array or object array.

Please help someone.

Thanks in advance!

your query is returning the result and not empty so count is always greater than zero, check with !empty($result) condition — RAUSHAN KUMAR
– RAUSHAN KUMAR, Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 8:08
But in above case why its going to count() and not going in empty(). This array returns no value from database so !empty() will gives true which is not right. @RAUSHANKUMAR — RJParikh
– RJParikh, Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 8:11
as the first() query returns a collection object so better to go with isEmpty() function — RAUSHAN KUMAR
– RAUSHAN KUMAR, Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 8:16
Yes collection object working with count() inbuilt method of php and isEmpty() is laravel method so ofcourse it will work. Thanks for your advice ! — RJParikh
– RJParikh, Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 8:32

MisterDebug · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-19 08:08:26Z

5

If you use collection, you sould use isEmpty() method

docs: https://laravel.com/docs/5.4/collections#method-isempty

answered Jul 19, 2017 at 8:08

MisterDebug

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4 Comments

RJParikh Over a year ago

Yes correct, So I am able to use count() or isEmpty().. right?

MisterDebug Over a year ago

yep both are ok :)

RJParikh Over a year ago

Yes, isEmpty() is laravel method and count() php common method. Thanks for your help !

MisterDebug Over a year ago

there is a method ->count() for collection too. no problem

Sagar Gautam · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-19 08:33:50Z

2

With ->get() method, you will get an instance of collection.

When you apply empty() on data obtained from get method, you'll notice an instance of Illuminate\Support\Collection is always returned, even when there are no results.

When you obtain data with ->get() method, you can't use following simply,

if(empty($data)){ 

}

if(!data){ 

}

if($data){ 

}

Instead of above you can simply use,

isEmpty($data) or 

count($data) or 

$data->count()

answered Jul 19, 2017 at 8:33

Sagar Gautam

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4 Comments

RJParikh Over a year ago

Thanks for your advice !

Sagar Gautam Over a year ago

I think you shouldn't have problem with first() since it will return null if no data is found. I wonder why

RJParikh Over a year ago

I have edit question with get()... Thanks for correction and your answer works and helps lot !

Sagar Gautam Over a year ago

@RJParikh Congrats, Glad it helped you :D

Mihai Matei · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-19 08:19:45Z

1

From the php docs

Determine whether a variable is considered to be empty. A variable is considered empty if it does not exist or if its value equals FALSE. empty() does not generate a warning if the variable does not exist.

The laravel collection class implements the Countable interface which lets you use the count function. If you check the collection class you'll see that the count method returns the count of the internal items.

There is no interface for the empty function so in this case it only checks if the variable is not set or equals to false which obvious doesn't apply in case an object is checked.

answered Jul 19, 2017 at 8:19

Mihai Matei

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1 Comment

RJParikh Over a year ago

Ok got it... Thanks for your help :)

Jobayer Ahmed · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-19 08:31:41Z

0

Condition Try with this:

if(empty($result->toArray()))
{
    echo "Not Empty check with empty()";
}

if(count($result) == 0)
{
   echo "Not Empty check with count()";
}

answered Jul 19, 2017 at 8:31

Jobayer Ahmed

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