- What is Laravel Popular used for?
- It is a lightweight Laravel package for tracking and retrieving popular Eloquent models. You record visits with a simple trait, then query top items by day, week, month, or custom timeframes. Common uses include trending content, dashboards, and recommendations.
- How do I install Laravel Popular in a Laravel app?
- Install it via Composer using the package name jordanmiguel/laravel-popular. The package follows standard Laravel conventions, so expect service provider discovery and possible config or migration publishing steps. Check the repository README for exact publish commands and required PHP and Laravel constraints before installing.
- Which Laravel versions does Laravel Popular support?
- The available evidence only confirms that release 1.0.10 added Laravel 9 support. The provided context does not confirm support for Laravel 10, 11, or 12, and earlier version constraints are not detailed. Verify composer.json and CI coverage before assuming compatibility with your Laravel version.
- Does Laravel Popular support Laravel 10, 11, or 12?
- That is not confirmed by the provided context. The only release signal is Laravel 9 support in version 1.0.10, and the release note is too thin to confirm broader framework support. Treat Laravel 10 and newer compatibility as unverified until you check Composer constraints and package tests.
- How does Laravel Popular track visits?
- It uses a simple trait that you add to your existing Eloquent models. Recording visits creates popularity data that you can later query by timeframe. The package is designed to keep integration lightweight rather than requiring a separate tracking service.
- Can I query popular models by week, month, or custom date range?
- Yes, the package is described as retrieving top items by day, week, month, or custom timeframes. This makes it suitable for trending lists, dashboards, and recommendation inputs. Confirm the exact query API in the README before building production features around it.
- Is Laravel Popular safe to use in production?
- It can be feasible for production if you validate it in staging first. The technical assessment notes risks around thin release notes, possible dependency conflicts, and untested paths, especially on end-of-life Laravel 9. Pin the version, run migrations or config publishes as needed, and smoke-test tracking and query paths.
- What are the maintenance and security concerns with Laravel Popular on Laravel 9?
- Laravel 9 is end-of-life, so adding package support unblocks legacy apps but does not improve security posture. The release note does not confirm whether Laravel 9 is fully tested or only installable. Require a clear deprecation and upgrade plan if you adopt it for legacy applications.
- How does Laravel Popular compare with alternatives for trending content?
- The package is a lightweight, model-trait approach for popular Eloquent entries inside Laravel. Alternatives may include custom analytics tables, Redis counters, or broader analytics services, depending on scale and reporting needs. Choose Laravel Popular when you want simple in-app popularity tracking with existing models and can verify framework compatibility.
- Should I upgrade to Laravel Popular 1.0.10 for a Laravel 9 app?
- Consider 1.0.10 if you maintain a Laravel 9 application and need a compatible package version. It appears to be a compatibility release rather than a new capability release. Test in a controlled branch, confirm PHP 8.0.2+ and Composer constraints, and avoid coupling it with a Laravel 9-to-10+ upgrade.