Extending Model using Laravel 4

accessor_laravel_4

Sometimes we need to extend out model, with more than data that is fetched from database, for example. 
But on the other hand, we don't want to do that manually, and we want our framework to do that instead of us.

Here's an example, how to do that using Laravel 4.

Assume we have model Task, that has some fillable columns. Beside those, predefined columns, we want to attach additional data, let's say, parent task (and all its data).

First, we will define relationship between 'task' and 'task parent'. It is one-to-many relationship. We'll do it based on column named 'parent_id'.

    public function parentTask(){
        return $this->belongsTo('Task', 'parent_id');
    }

Next step is to define accessor for this Model:
    
    public function getParentTaskAttribute()
    {
        return $this->attributes['parent'] = $this->parentTask;
    }
    
And finally, we need to define 'appends' property for this model:
    protected $appends = array('parent_task');
    
Now we have it all. 
Our model, will fetch both task data and parent task data.