Laravel Unknown Column "updated_at"

Laravel Unknown Column 'updated_at' Error: Easy Fixes and Troubleshooting

So, you're diving into the world of Laravel, and all was going smoothly until you encountered the dreaded "Unknown column 'updated_at'" error. Don't panic! This common issue can be quickly resolved with a few simple steps. Let's get into it. 💻🌟

Understanding the Error

The error message you received is triggered by Laravel's timestamp feature, which automatically adds the updated_at and created_at columns to your database table. However, in your specific case, you're not actively using the updated_at field, causing the error to pop up.

Analyzing the Code

Let's take a closer look at the code you provided to identify the root cause.

Controller

public function created()
{
    if (!User::isValidRegister(Input::all())) {
        return Redirect::back()->withInput()->withErrors(User::$errors);
    }

    // Register the new user or whatever.
    $user = new User;
    $user->naam = Input::get('naam');
    $user->wachtwoord = Hash::make(Input::get('password'));
    $user->save();

    return Redirect::to('/users');
}

Route

Route::get('created', 'UserController@created');

Model

public static $rules_register = [
    'naam' => 'unique:gebruikers,naam'
];

public static $errors;
protected $table = 'gebruikers';

public static function isValidRegister($data)
{
    $validation = Validator::make($data, static::$rules_register);

    if ($validation->passes()) {
        return true;
    }

    static::$errors = $validation->messages();

    return false;
}

Finding a Solution

To fix the "Unknown column 'updated_at'" error, here are two potential solutions, depending on your specific requirements:

Solution 1: Disable Timestamps

If you're not utilizing the updated_at and created_at fields in your application, disabling the timestamps feature will prevent Laravel from expecting these columns.

To disable timestamps for a specific model, add the $timestamps property to your model class and set it to false. Here's an example:

class User extends Eloquent
{
    public $timestamps = false;
    // ...
}

By disabling timestamps, the error should no longer persist. However, keep in mind that this option is only suitable if you don't require these timestamp fields in your application.

Solution 2: Add Timestamp Columns

On the other hand, if you do need to keep track of the updated_at field, you can manually add the missing column to your database table.

1. Open a database migration file for the gebruikers table.

2. Locate the up method and add the following line to create the updated_at column:

$table->timestamps();

1. Save the migration file and run the migration command:

php artisan migrate

By including the timestamps() method in your migration file, Laravel will create the updated_at and created_at columns for you.

Conclusion

There you have it! 🎉 To sum it up, the "Unknown column 'updated_at'" error commonly arises when Laravel expects the updated_at field but cannot find it. By either disabling the timestamps feature or adding the missing column, you can resolve this issue and continue building your Laravel application hassle-free.

If you have any questions or encountered any other roadblocks while working with Laravel, feel free to leave a comment. Your engagement is essential to us as we continue providing helpful content and support to fellow developers. Happy coding! 💪💻