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Unit Conversions Laravel Package
spatie/unit-conversions
Lightweight PHP unit conversion library by Spatie. Currently supports weight conversion from kilograms to pounds via a fluent API: Weight::fromKilograms(100)->toLbs(). Install with Composer and extend as more units are added.
Perform unit conversions in PHP
Frequently asked questions about Unit Conversions
- How do I convert kilograms to pounds in Laravel using this package?
- Use the fluent API: `Weight::fromKilograms(100)->toLbs()` returns the converted value (e.g., 220.4623). No Laravel-specific setup is needed—it works in plain PHP or Laravel apps. Wrap it in a service class if you need dependency injection.
- Does this package support other unit types besides kg→lbs?
- Currently, only kilograms to pounds is supported. The package is lightweight and niche-focused, but you can extend it by subclassing `Weight` or contributing new unit types. Check the GitHub repo for updates or fork it for custom needs.
- Is this package compatible with Laravel 10 and PHP 8.2?
- The package has no Laravel-specific dependencies and works with PHP 7.4+. Test it in your environment for PHP 8.2 compatibility, as the last release was in 2020. If issues arise, consider a wrapper layer for stricter type hints or named arguments.
- How accurate are the conversion results? Can I trust them for production?
- The package uses hardcoded conversion factors (1 kg = 2.20462 lbs) with high precision for typical use cases. For critical applications (e.g., medical or aerospace), validate against industry standards or use a more specialized library. Edge cases (negative values, NaN) aren’t handled by default.
- Should I use this package or write a custom conversion function?
- Use this package if you need a simple, tested solution for kg→lbs conversions in Laravel. It’s ideal for lightweight projects like e-commerce or fitness apps. For broader unit support or strict precision needs, a custom function or a library like `php-math/units` might be better.
- How do I integrate this into Laravel’s service container?
- Bind the package to Laravel’s container by creating a service class (e.g., `UnitConverter`) and registering it in `AppServiceProvider`. Example: `$this->app->bind(UnitConverter::class, fn($app) => new UnitConverter());`. This improves testability and reusability.
- Does this package work with Blade templates or frontend frameworks?
- Yes, but avoid direct Blade usage for complex logic. Wrap conversions in a helper function or expose them via API endpoints. For frontend frameworks (Vue/React), fetch converted values from Laravel APIs or use a client-side math library for dynamic conversions.
- Are there performance concerns for high-volume conversions?
- The package is stateless and lightweight, but repeated conversions in loops may benefit from caching. Store results in Laravel’s cache or a database (e.g., Redis) if precision isn’t critical. Benchmark in your environment to assess impact.
- How do I handle invalid inputs like negative weights?
- The package doesn’t validate inputs by default. Add custom validation (e.g., `if ($kg < 0) throw new InvalidArgumentException`) before calling `fromKilograms()`. For reusable logic, create a wrapper class with input checks.
- What’s the maintenance status? Is this package still actively developed?
- The last release was in 2020, and there’s no recent activity. While stable for its current scope, assess whether its niche (kg→lbs) meets your needs. For active development, consider alternatives like `php-math/units` or a custom solution. Check GitHub for forks or community updates.
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