Inserting/Updating "Userstamps" from a Model

If you take a look at the Model Insert method you can see how CodeIgniter is doing this.

Take a look ad the if statements.

InsiteFX, I followed your advice. Based on what I learned from looking at the CodeIgniter Model, I was able to come up with this:

PHP Code:

/**
     * This method saves the session "user_id" value to "created_by" and "updated_by" array 
     * elements before the row is inserted into the database.
     *
     */
    protected function insertUserstamp(array $data) {
        $user_id = session()->get('user_id');
        if (!empty($user_id) && 
            !array_key_exists('created_by', $data) && !array_key_exists('updated_by', $data)) {
            $data['data']['created_by'] = $user_id;
            $data['data']['updated_by'] = $user_id;
        }
        return $data;
    }

    /**
     * This method saves the session "user_id" value to "updated_by" array element before 
     * the row is inserted into the database.
     *
     */
    protected function updateUserstamp(array $data) {
        $user_id = session()->get('user_id');
        if (!empty($user_id) && !array_key_exists('updated_by', $data)) {
            $data['data']['updated_by'] = $user_id;
        }
        return $data;
    } 


I then included them in the $beforeInsert and $beforeUpdate arrays.  Everything seems to be working correctly.

I do have one followup question.  What is the best way to make these methods available to every model in App\Models?  Should I create a new "CustomModel" that extends Model with these methods, and make all models located in App\Models children of the new custom model?