Helpers

Data manipulation and general-purpose utility methods.

Data Manipulation Helpers

inputIsEmpty / inputIsNotEmpty

Checks if the input is empty or not. Unlike PHP's empty(), the string '0' and the number 0 count as not empty — a deliberate choice so a legitimate zero value isn't treated as a missing answer.

if ($form->inputIsEmpty($value)) {
    // Handle empty input
}

sanitizeRequest

Sanitizes the input to prevent XSS attacks.

$safeValue = $form->sanitizeRequest($userInput);

slug

Converts a string to a URL-friendly slug.

$urlSlug = $form->slug("Hello World!");
// Output: Hello_World

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Utility Helpers

config

Retrieves a configuration value using dot notation.

$dateFormat = $form->config('dateFormat');

dd

Dumps a value and dies (stops execution).

$form->dd($variable);

dump

Dumps a value to the screen without stopping execution.

$form->dump($variable);

destroySession

Deletes the Flick session data.

$form->destroySession();

// Destroy silently, without the success alert
$form->destroySession(false);

Parameters:

• $message - bool (optional, default true) - When true, prints a success alert into the page. Pass false to destroy the session silently.

getIp

Returns the visitor's IP address.

$userIp = $form->getIp();

redirect

Redirects to a given URL after form submission.

// Standalone mode (default): exits after redirect
$form->redirect('/success');

// Framework mode: returns the handler's result
return $form->redirect('/success');

Parameters:

• $url - string (optional) - The URL to redirect to. Defaults to current page if empty or 'self'.

Returns:

• mixed|null - Returns null if form not submitted or has errors. With custom onRedirect handler, returns the handler's result (e.g., a Laravel redirect response).

Behavior:

• Only redirects if $form->submitted() and $form->ok() are both true
• In standalone mode (default), outputs Location header and calls exit()
• With custom onRedirect handler, calls the handler and returns its result

See Framework Integration for customizing redirect behavior.

verifyPassword

Verifies a hashed (bcrypt) password.

if ($form->verifyPassword($inputPassword, $storedHash)) {
    // password is correct
}

getFields

Returns an array of all form fields with their validation rules.

$fields = $form->getFields();

hasValidationRules

Checks if any form fields have validation rules defined.

if ($form->hasValidationRules()) {
    // Form has validation rules
}