Call Laravel model by string
Stefan Bogdanescu
Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29
Title: Calling Laravel Models Using String Notation: A Comprehensive Guide for Developers
Introduction: In this blog post, we will explore how to call a Laravel model using a string notation. This method can be helpful in cases where you have multiple models with similar naming conventions and need an easy way to access them without constantly typing their class names. We'll focus on the syntax, best practices, and potential pitfalls of this approach.
Body:
1. Understanding Laravel Models
Laravel is a popular PHP framework that revolves around the MVC (Model View Controller) architectural pattern. In Laravel, models are classes responsible for interacting with your database and managing data. They serve as interfaces between your application's data layer and the rest of the codebase.
2. Accessing Models Directly by Class Name
The most common way to access a model in Laravel is to use its exact class name, as follows:
$model = \App\Models\User::where('id', $id)->first();
This code snippet retrieves the first user with an ID of $id. The \App\Models\ part is the full namespace, which defines the location of your application's model class files. In this case, User is the class name of a Laravel model.
3. Calling Models by String Notation
As seen in the initial example, you can also call a model by using its class name as a string:
$model_name = 'User';
$model_name::where('id', $id)->first();
This code snippet will work if the $model_name variable has been assigned to a valid model class name. However, it can lead to undesired behavior and exceptions because Laravel doesn't have any mechanism to automatically recognize or resolve the string notation. When this method is used incorrectly (e.g., using an undefined or wrong model class name), you might encounter exceptions like "Undefined variable: User" as mentioned in the initial example.
4. Best Practices and Alternatives
To avoid these problems, we recommend following a few best practices when calling Laravel models:
- Always use the full class name with correct namespaces (e.g., \App\Models\User).
- Create constants or functions to provide model classes within your application, making them easier to access and maintain.
- Use static methods if necessary for better code readability and performance.
- Consider using a dependency injection container like Laravel's service container to manage model dependencies.
Conclusion:
Calling Laravel models by string notation can be done if there is no better alternative, but it is not advised due to the potential errors and exceptions that may arise. By following best practices, you can ensure your code remains stable and maintainable. For further guidance on using Laravel's model features effectively, please refer to our comprehensive tutorials at https://laravelcompany.com. Stay tuned for more informative blogs from Laravel Company!