How to validate exact words in Laravel?

Laravel provides several methods to validate exact words in your application. The most common approaches include using Rule::in method, in: validation rule, and regular expressions for precise word matching.

Using Rule::in Method

The Rule::in method validates that the field value matches one of the specified values exactly. To use this method, you need to import the Rule class ?

Make sure to include: use Illuminate\Validation\Rule; at the top of your file.

<?php
$input = [
   'category' => ['ABC', 'XYZ'],
];

Validator::make($input, [
   'category' => [
      'required',
      'array',
      Rule::in(['ABC', 'TIK']),
   ],
]);
?>

Here the input array has category values ABC and XYZ, but Rule::in expects ABC and TIK. Since XYZ doesn't match TIK, this validation will fail.

Single Word Validation

For validating a single exact word using Rule::in ?

<?php
namespace App\Http\Controllers;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Validator;
use Illuminate\Validation\Rule;

class TestController extends Controller {
   public function index() {
      $input = array("name" => "Riyan");
      $rules = [
         'name' => [Rule::in(['Riyan'])]
      ];
      
      $validator = Validator::make($input, $rules);
      if ($validator->fails()) {
         echo "Word does not match";
      } else {
         echo "Word matches";
      }
   }
}
?>

Word matches

Using in: Validation Rule

Laravel also provides a shorthand in: rule for exact word matching ?

<?php
namespace App\Http\Controllers;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Validator;

class TestController extends Controller {
   public function index() {
      $input = array("name" => "Disha");
      $rules = [
         'name' => 'in:Disha',
      ];
      
      $validator = Validator::make($input, $rules);
      if ($validator->fails()) {
         echo "Word does not match";
      } else {
         echo "Word matches";
      }
   }
}
?>

Word matches

Using Regular Expressions

For more precise control, you can use regular expressions with anchors to match exact words ?

<?php
namespace App\Http\Controllers;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Validator;

class TestController extends Controller {
   public function index() {
      $input = array("name" => "Disha");
      $rules = [
         'name' => 'regex:/^Disha$/',
      ];
      
      $validator = Validator::make($input, $rules);
      if ($validator->fails()) {
         echo "Word does not match";
      } else {
         echo "Word matches";
      }
   }
}
?>

Word matches

Comparison of Methods

Conclusion

Laravel offers flexible word validation through Rule::in, in: rules, and regex patterns. Choose Rule::in for multiple values, in: for simple cases, and regex for complex pattern matching requirements.