- What is andrey-helldar/support used for?
- It is a lightweight helper library for Laravel and standalone PHP projects, offering utilities for arrays, strings, files, dates, JSON, and common application tasks. It is intended to reduce boilerplate and speed development rather than provide architectural features. Many of its helpers overlap with native Laravel helpers, Illuminate\Support\Str and Arr, and PHP standard functions, so evaluate each use case before adopting it.
- How do I install andrey-helldar/support?
- Install it with Composer using composer require andrey-helldar/support. Laravel projects can rely on optional service-provider auto-discovery, while framework-agnostic core helpers can be used in plain PHP. The package is MIT licensed, but because the repository is archived, pin the exact version and review it before adding it to a new project.
- Is andrey-helldar/support still maintained?
- No, the GitHub repository is archived, so upstream bug fixes, security patches, and future Laravel or PHP compatibility updates should not be expected. With only about 23 stars, community support is effectively absent. Treat it as unmaintained and assign internal ownership if it remains in production.
- Which Laravel and PHP versions does andrey-helldar/support support?
- There is no maintained support matrix for future versions because the repository is archived, so new Laravel majors and PHP releases should be assumed unmaintained until tested. Check the Composer constraints for the exact version you pin and validate it against your supported PHP and Laravel matrix. Release 6.17.1 removed a PHP 8.1 polyfill, which shows the package is sensitive to PHP-version changes.
- Can I use andrey-helldar/support outside Laravel?
- Yes, the core is framework-agnostic and can be installed via Composer in standalone PHP projects. Laravel integration is optional through a service provider, so plain PHP code can call the helpers directly. Validate any transitive dependencies and file or JSON behavior in your environment before relying on it.
- What helpers are included in andrey-helldar/support?
- It provides helpers for arrays, strings, files, dates, JSON operations, and common application tasks. The exact helper set depends on the version you pin, so inspect the installed source rather than assuming a stable public API. Many helpers duplicate Laravel's Illuminate\Support\Str and Arr or native PHP functions.
- What are good alternatives to andrey-helldar/support?
- Prefer Laravel's built-in helpers, Illuminate\Support\Str and Arr, and PHP standard functions for most array, string, file, date, and JSON tasks. For repeated project-specific logic, create a small internal helper class that your team owns and tests. Replacing low-value call sites with native primitives is the safest migration path from an archived package.
- Is andrey-helldar/support safe to use in production?
- The main production risk is abandonment, not an immediate code defect. If it is already in production, pin the exact version in composer.lock, inventory all call sites, run a security scan, add characterization tests, and name an owner with an exit plan. Do not add it as a new runtime dependency unless an exception review approves a contained use case.
- How should I test code that uses andrey-helldar/support?
- Add regression and characterization tests around every helper your application actually calls, especially file, JSON, date, and string behavior. Wrap static helpers in a thin internal adapter so your tests can isolate behavior and future replacements are easier. Also verify service-provider auto-discovery and error handling on the PHP and Laravel versions you support.
- How do I remove andrey-helldar/support from a Laravel app?
- Inventory all usages, pin and scan the current version, and add tests that capture observable behavior before changing code. Replace low-value call sites with Laravel or PHP primitives or a small internal helper class, then remove the service provider and Composer dependency. Finish by updating engineering standards so the package is not reintroduced without review.