Use value() for Lazy Execution — Run Heavy Code Only When Needed

🚀 The Common Problem

Sometimes you need a default value, but generating it is expensive:

$userName = $user->name ?? fetchDefaultUserName();

Problem?

fetchDefaultUserName() runs every time, even when $user->name exists.

This wastes time and resources.

🎯 The Laravel Way: value()

Laravel’s value() helper executes a closure only when needed.

$userName = $user->name ?? value(fn () => fetchDefaultUserName());

Now the function runs only if $user->name is null.

🧠 Real-World Example: Default Settings

$timezone = $user->timezone ?? value(function () {
    return config('app.timezone');
});

Clean.

Lazy.

Efficient.

🛒 Example: Expensive Query Fallback

$price = $product->price ?? value(function () {
    return calculateDynamicPrice();
});

The calculation runs only when price is missing.

🧩 Blade Example

{{ $user->bio ?? value(fn () => 'No bio available') }}

No unnecessary computation.

💡 Why value() Is So Helpful

• Prevents unnecessary function calls
• Improves performance quietly
• Keeps fallback logic clean
• Perfect with ?? operator
• Great for defaults, configs, and calculations

It’s a small helper with big impact.