- How do I install LaraHelp in a Laravel project?
- Install it with composer require darkghosthunter/larahelp:^3.2 in a Laravel application. The package likely uses Laravel auto-discovery and Composer files autoloading for global helpers, so run composer update and dump autoloads afterward. Confirm the service provider and helper loading behavior in the package README or composer.json before rolling it out.
- What does the shadow() helper do?
- shadow() is one of two helpers added in LaraHelp 3.2.0, but the provided context does not define its exact behavior. Its name could imply shadow copies, property shadowing, config or environment shadowing, or deferred execution, so inspect the source and tests before using it. Add characterization tests for expected inputs and outputs, and avoid relying on it in production until its semantics are documented.
- How does object_assign() work in LaraHelp?
- object_assign() mirrors JavaScript Object.assign semantics, so it likely performs shallow property copying or merging on objects. Verify whether it mutates the target object or returns a new object, how it handles nested objects, and how it treats numeric and string keys. For array-based merging in Laravel, native utilities such as Arr::set and data_set may be clearer and better documented.
- Will LaraHelp conflict with existing global functions?
- Yes, that is a real risk because LaraHelp adds global-style helper functions. Large Laravel monorepos or plugin-heavy ecosystems can already define functions like shadow() or object_assign(), causing redeclaration errors if the package does not guard with function_exists(). Check for collisions and consider using the package only at the application level rather than in shared libraries.
- Which Laravel and PHP versions does LaraHelp support?
- The provided context does not state the exact PHP and Laravel version constraints. Check LaraHelp's composer.json for PHP and illuminate/support requirements, and review its CI matrix for explicit Laravel 10, 11, and 12 coverage. A 3.2.0 minor release is additive, but that alone does not prove support for your target framework version.
- Can I disable LaraHelp's global helpers?
- It is not confirmed whether LaraHelp exposes a config switch to disable global helpers or loads them conditionally. Inspect the service provider and package config to see whether helper files are always required or can be opted out. If they are always registered, avoid installing the package in shared libraries where namespace pollution and collisions matter.
- Is LaraHelp suitable for production Laravel applications?
- Overall technical risk is low-to-moderate because additive helpers rarely break existing behavior. object_assign() needs verification for shallow versus deep merge, mutation versus return-new-object, and nested-object handling, while shadow() is a higher-risk unknown until documented. Install in a branch, add smoke tests, and pin the version before production use.
- Does LaraHelp support static analysis and IDE autocompletion?
- The provided context does not confirm IDE stubs or static-analysis support. Global helper functions complicate PHPStan, Psalm, and IDE autocompletion unless the package ships stubs or namespaced alternatives. If stubs are missing, add your own stub files or static-analysis configuration before adopting the helpers broadly.
- What should I test before upgrading to LaraHelp 3.2.0?
- Update composer.json to ^3.2 in a branch, run composer update, and dump autoloads. Add characterization tests for shadow() and object_assign() covering return values, mutation, nested objects, and key handling, plus a collision check for existing global functions. Only then replace inline object-merging code or adopt the helpers in production.
- Is LaraHelp a help center package or a helper utilities package?
- Based on the package overview and technical assessment, LaraHelp is a global helper utilities package with more than 25 helpers, including shadow() and object_assign(). The blurb mentioning a help center appears inconsistent with that focus, so verify the README and source before adopting it. Treat the helper utilities as the primary purpose unless the repository documents help-center features.