Creating a Better Router : Handling HIDDEN Inputs and DELETE request
Tags: webdev, beginners, programming, php
Published: 2024-07-01 15:28:05

A few days ago, I learned to build a basic router that maps URLs to controllers. Now, I need to enhance it to build a better router with advanced functionality. To build a better router that works with hidden inputs, first of all delete the basic `router.php` file from project and create a new. Let's start.

## Introduction to Routing

We need to build a better router that efficiently maps URLs to specific controllers or actions, allowing our application to handle requests and route them to the appropriate handlers.
The better router's ability to work with hidden inputs enables secure note deletion by passing the note ID to the controller without exposing it in the URL, preventing user interference.

```php
<input type="hidden" name="_method" value="DELETE">
```

## Create a Router File

To create a router file, we have to initialize the Router class with a namespace, in this case, `Core`.

```php
<?php 

namespace Core;

 class Router { }
```

## Public Functions (Common Parameters)

As the router class is built then we have to define public functions in it  and all have same parameters like `get`, `post`, `delete`, `patch`, and `put` as essential routes that help our website determine what to do when someone visits a certain page. These functions have the same parameters, enabling them to perform the same actions.

```php
public function get($uri, $controller) {
 $this->add('GET', $uri, $controller); }
public function post($uri, $controller) {
 $this->add('POST', $uri, $controller); }
public function delete($uri, $controller) { 
$this->add('DELETE', $uri, $controller); }
public function patch($uri, $controller) { 
$this->add('PATCH', $uri, $controller); }
public function put($uri, $controller) { $this->add('PUT', $uri, $controller); }
```

## Add Method

As all public functions have same parameters then we use the `add` method and give same parameters to it and only to call this in other functions. It is used to add a new route to the routing map, taking three parameters: the  request method, the URI pattern to match, and the controller file to handle the request.

```php
public function add($method, $uri, $controller) { 
  $this->routes[] = [ 
    'uri' => $uri, 
    'controller' => $controller, 
    'method' => $method 
  ]; 
}
```

## Route Method

Here, We define the `route` method to determine our application's response to a given URL, mapping it to the corresponding controller to handle the request.

```php
public function route($uri, $method) { 
  foreach ($this->routes as $route) { 
    if ($route['uri'] === $uri && $route['method'] === strtoupper($method)) { 
      return require base_path($route['controller']); 
    } 
  } 
  $this->abort(); 
}
```

## strtoupper Function

In route method, We use the `strtoupper` function to convert a string to uppercase, ensuring a case-insensitive match.

```php
strtoupper($method)
```

## Protected Function (Abort)

In router.php file we defined the `abort` method as a safety net, displaying an error page if our website cannot find the right route.

```php
protected function abort($code = 404) { 
  http_response_code($code); 
  require base_path("views/{$code}.php"); 
  die(); 
}
```

## Route Definitions

Last thing is to define routing configuration in the `routes.php` file, mapping URLs to corresponding controller actions.

```php
$router->get('/', 'controllers/index.php'); 
$router->get('/about', 'controllers/about.php'); 
$router->get('/contact', 'controllers/contact.php'); 
$router->get('/notes', 'controllers/notes/index.php'); 
$router->get('/note', 'controllers/notes/show.php'); 
$router->get('/notes/create', 'controllers/notes/create.php');
```
The get method specifies the request method(GET) ,  the URL pattern and maps it to a controller file.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, we have built a better router that efficiently maps URLs to specific controller methods, enabling a more structured and maintainable approach to handling requests and improving the overall performance and scalability of our website.

I hope that you have clearly understood it.