Pass GET Parameters to Laravel Using GET Method

The default method of Laravel forms is POST. However, when it comes to adding search functionalities and filtering data, the GET method is more appropriate. The problem exists in how to pass and retrieve existing GET parameter in routing and handling within forms correctly.

Before you go along with the how-to:

Have a Laravel project set up (it is recommended to have any Laravel version 8 or higher).You should have basics about Laravel routing, controllers, and Blade templates. The test case doesn't have the database connection as mandatory but is better if you test data filtering.

The simplest way to pass GET parameters is by using an HTML form with the method="GET" attribute.

Example:

<form action="{{ route('search') }}" method="GET">
	<input type="text" name="query" placeholder="Search here" value="{{request('query') }}">
	<button type="submit">Search</button>
</form>

Explanation:

• The form uses the GET method to submit data.
• The value="{{ request('query') }}" retains the input value after submission.
• The form submits the request to a named route (search).

2. Defining Routes to Handle GET Requests

Laravel routes can be configured to accept GET parameters.

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route;
use App\Http\Controllers\SearchController;

Route::get('/search', [SearchController::class, 'index'])->name('search');

Here, the /search route is linked to SearchController@index, which will handle the GET request.

3. Handling GET Requests in a Controller

In SearchController.php, retrieve the GET parameters and process them.

namespace App\Http\Controllers;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;
class SearchController extends Controller
{
public function index(Request $request)
{
$query = $request->query('query');
// Example: Filter results from a database
$results = [];
if ($query) {
$results = \App\Models\Item::where('name', 'like', "%{$query}%")->get();
}
return view('search', compact('results', 'query'));
}
}

Explanation

• request->query('query') fetches the GET parameter.
• The query is used to filter database results (assuming Item model exists).
• The filtered results are passed to the search.blade.php view

4. Displaying Results in the View

In search.blade.php, display the search results.

@if(!empty($results))

@foreach($results as $item)

{{ $item->name }}

@endforeach
@else

No results found.

@endif

5. Appending GET Parameters to URLs

Sometimes, you may need to append GET parameters to links dynamically.

<a href="{{ route('search', ['query' => 'Laravel']) }}">Search Laravel</a>

Example: Submitting a Search Query

Input: User enters "Laravel" and submits the form. URL: /search?query=Laravel Output: Displays a list of items containing "Laravel" in their name.
Example 2: No Query Entered
URL: /search Output: Displays "No results found."

Best Practices for Using GET Method in Laravel Forms
1. Use Request Helper - request('param') simplifies GET parameter retrieval.

2. Validate Inputs: Always validate GET parameters to prevent security risks.

$request->validate(['query' => 'string|max:255']);

3. Retain Input Values - Use value="{{ request('query') }}" to keep entered values after form submission.

4. URL Encoding - Ensure special characters in GET parameters are properly encoded using urlencode().

5. SEO Optimization - Search-friendly URLs (/search?query=laravel) improve search engine indexing.

GET parameters are very much important for Laravel forms because it helps for searching, filtering with friendlier navigation. You can handle GET requests, retrieve parameters, and display dynamic results just like you would like by following the approaches mentioned here in this manual. These features are to be added to your applications to make them more efficient in using GET to handle forms.