How can I write this MySQL using Laravel Query builder?

Question

I have the following MySQL query and I would like to change it to the correct format for Laravel's Query builder.

SELECT DISTINCT(colors) FROM `cards` ORDER BY LENGTH(colors) DESC

This is what I currently have:

table('cards')
    ->orderBy(LENGTH(colors), 'desc')
    ->get();

I would imagine LENGTH(colors) would need to be in quotes, since it is a string and not a PHP function? — halfer
– halfer, Commented Dec 28, 2014 at 18:46

lukasgeiter · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-28 19:58:46Z

2

Note that you have to use raw methods to be able to run SQL functions like LENGTH().
This should work:

DB::table('cards')
    ->select('colors')
    ->distinct()
    ->orderByRaw('LENGTH(colors) DESC')
    ->get();

answered Dec 28, 2014 at 18:49

lukasgeiter

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3 Comments

Which one is better? orderBy(DB::raw(...)) vs orderByRaw(...)?

The result is the same so it depends which syntax you like more. I prefer orderByRaw because it's results in less nested parentheses ()

Your answer is mostly correct. You have to add ->select('colors') though. Thanks!