Tracking Recent Changes Across Models

To create a mini logbook that displays the most recent changes across all your models on the frontend, here are some approaches you could consider:

1. Model Observer Pattern

You could implement an observer pattern that tracks changes to your models:

PHPCopied
// Create a trait that can be used in your models
trait LogsActivity
{
    protected static function booted()
    {
        static::updated(function ($model) {
            ActivityLog::create([
                'model_type' => get_class($model),
                'model_id' => $model->id,
                'description' => 'Model was updated',
                'user_id' => auth()->id() ?? null,
                'changes' => json_encode($model->getChanges())
            ]);
        });
        
        // Similar hooks for created, deleted, etc.
    }
}

2. Dedicated Activity Log Table

Create a central table to store all changes:

SQLCopied
CREATE TABLE activity_logs (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    model_type VARCHAR(255),
    model_id INT,
    action VARCHAR(50),
    changes TEXT,
    user_id INT NULL,
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

3. Use an Existing Package

If you're using a framework like Laravel, you could use packages like:

• spatie/laravel-activitylog
• owen-it/laravel-auditing

4. Frontend Implementation

To display the log on the frontend:

JAVASCRIPTCopied
// Fetch the latest changes
async function fetchLatestChanges() {
  const response = await fetch('/api/activity-logs/latest');
  const data = await response.json();
  
  // Render in your UI
  const logContainer = document.getElementById('activity-log');
  data.forEach(log => {
    logContainer.innerHTML += `
      <div class="log-entry">
        <span class="model">${log.model_type}</span>
        <span class="action">${log.action}</span>
        <span class="time">${new Date(log.created_at).toLocaleString()}</span>
      </div>
    `;
  });
}

5. API Endpoint

Create an API endpoint that returns the most recent change for each model:

PHPCopied
public function getLatestChanges()
{
    $latestChanges = ActivityLog::select('model_type')
        ->selectRaw('MAX(id) as latest_id')
        ->groupBy('model_type')
        ->get()
        ->map(function ($item) {
            return ActivityLog::find($item->latest_id);
        });
        
    return response()->json($latestChanges);
}

Choose the approach that best fits your application architecture and requirements.