Laravel Value Objects

Immutable value objects encapsulate domain values with validation and behavior.

Core Concept

value-objects.md - Value object patterns:

• Immutable domain values
• Static factory methods
• Domain logic encapsulation
• When to use vs DTOs
• Comparison and equality

Pattern

final readonly class Money
{
    private function __construct(
        public int $amount,
        public string $currency,
    ) {}

    public static function fromCents(int $cents, string $currency = 'USD'): self
    {
        return new self($cents, $currency);
    }

    public static function fromDollars(float $dollars, string $currency = 'USD'): self
    {
        return new self((int) ($dollars * 100), $currency);
    }

    public function add(Money $other): self
    {
        if ($this->currency !== $other->currency) {
            throw new InvalidArgumentException('Currency mismatch');
        }

        return new self($this->amount + $other->amount, $this->currency);
    }
}

Value objects vs DTOs: Value objects have domain behavior and validation, DTOs are for data transfer.