# Middleware in Laravel

What is Middleware in Laravel?

Middleware in Laravel works as a filter for HTTP requests that enter your application. It enables you to analyze, modify, and reject requests before they reach your routes or controllers.

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## Origin

Middleware is a basic idea in Laravel, inspired by comparable patterns in other frameworks, and provides a flexible manner of handling request lifecycle logic.

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## Why is Middleware Used?

1. **Enhanced Security**: Used for authentication, authorization, and input validation.
2. **Promotes Modular Design**: Encapsulates reusable logic in different levels.
3. **Streamlines Requests**: Addresses cross-cutting issues such as logging and caching efficiently.

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## Best Practices.

1. **Organize Middleware**: Organize middleware logically to reduce redundancy.
2. **Use Middleware Groups**: Combine numerous middleware into a single group for common activities.
3. **Avoid Heavy Logic**: Use lightweight middleware to retain performance.

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## Example in Action

Create custom middleware:

```bash
php artisan make:middleware CheckAge
```

In the middleware class:

```php
namespace App\Http\Middleware;

use Closure;

class CheckAge
{
    public function handle($request, Closure $next)
    {
        if ($request->age < 18) {
            return redirect('home');
        }

        return $next($request);
    }
}
```

Register the middleware in `app/Http/Kernel.php`:

```php
protected $routeMiddleware = [
    'check.age' => \App\Http\Middleware\CheckAge::class,
];
```

Apply middleware to routes:

```php
Route::get('/dashboard', [DashboardController::class, 'index'])->middleware('check.age');
```

This middleware determines the age of the user in the incoming request and moves users under 18 to the home page.

Read this definition in a browser: https://ranetrace.com/glossary/middleware-in-laravel