- What does the lee-to/fast-attributes package do?
- Fast Attributes is a Laravel package that streamlines how custom attributes are defined and accessed on Eloquent models. It targets attribute-heavy models, removing the boilerplate you would otherwise repeat with traditional accessors and mutators. The package is described as lightweight and performance-focused, so large models stay clean and fast.
- How do I install lee-to/fast-attributes in a Laravel application?
- Install it with Composer by running composer require lee-to/fast-attributes. Because it is a Laravel package, service provider discovery should register it automatically, but confirm that detail in the repository README. After installing, follow the usage examples in the repo to start adding attributes to your models.
- Which Laravel and PHP versions does Fast Attributes support?
- The composer.json in the repository is the authoritative source for supported PHP and Laravel versions. Check its require and require-dev sections before adding the package to a project on an older or very new Laravel release. Composer will also stop the install if your platform constraints do not match.
- Does Fast Attributes work with my existing Eloquent models?
- Yes, it is built to integrate with Eloquent models rather than replace them. You keep your existing table columns, relationships and casts, and layer the package's attribute definitions on top. If your models already rely on custom accessors, test the change on a branch before rolling it out.
- Is Fast Attributes faster than native accessors and mutators?
- The package positions itself as lightweight and performance-focused, aiming to reduce overhead in attribute-heavy models. Actual gains depend on how many attributes you define and how frequently they are read, so benchmark against your own models. In most applications the bigger win is reduced boilerplate rather than raw speed.
- Do I need to publish a config file for Fast Attributes?
- The package is described as lightweight with minimal setup, so it may not require a config file at all. Check the repository README for any publishable configuration or optional settings before assuming defaults. Where no config exists, behaviour is typically controlled per model through the package's attribute API.
- How do I test models that use Fast Attributes?
- Models using the package remain standard Eloquent models, so you can test them with PHPUnit or Pest as usual. Use an in-memory SQLite connection or factories, then assert that attribute values resolve correctly after the model is hydrated. Add coverage for edge cases such as null values and attributes derived from other columns.
- Is lee-to/fast-attributes safe to use in production?
- Before shipping it, review the repository's release history, open issues and last commit date to judge maintenance activity. Also check the version constraint you install so Composer does not pull unexpected breaking changes. Pinning a specific minor version is a sensible precaution with any smaller package.
- What are the alternatives to Fast Attributes for custom Eloquent attributes?
- Native Eloquent accessors and mutators, attribute casting, and manually appended virtual attributes cover many of the same use cases without an extra dependency. Community packages offering typed or computed model attributes are another option. Fast Attributes is worth evaluating when boilerplate, rather than missing features, is your main pain point.
- Will Fast Attributes attributes appear in toArray and JSON responses?
- Attributes defined through the package should behave like other model attributes when the model is serialized, provided they are defined and visible. Confirm that hidden and appended arrays are configured the way you expect. If a computed attribute must always appear in JSON, make sure it is appended on the model.