gistfile1.txt

    /**
     * Helper to translate "RETS" field definitions to mysql datatypes and eloquent methods
     * @param $retsFieldDefinition
     *
     * @return object
     */
    public function translateRetsField($retsFieldDefinition)
    {
        $retsInterpretation = $retsFieldDefinition->Interpretation;
        $retsDataType = $retsFieldDefinition->DataType;
        $MaximumLength = $retsFieldDefinition->MaximumLength;
        $Precision = (! empty($retsFieldDefinition->Precision)) ? $retsFieldDefinition->Precision : 0;

        // Lookup fk tables are treated differently, catch first
        if ($retsInterpretation == 'Lookup') {
            $DataType = 'varchar';
            $eloquentMethod = 'string';
            $MaximumLength = 255;
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Int" || $retsDataType == "Small" || $retsDataType == "Tiny") {
            $DataType = 'int';
            $eloquentMethod = 'integer';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Long") {
            $DataType = 'bigint';
            $eloquentMethod = 'bigInteger';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "DateTime") {
            $DataType = 'datetime';
            $eloquentMethod = 'dateTime';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Character" && $MaximumLength <= 1024) {
            $DataType = 'varchar';
            $eloquentMethod = 'string';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Character" && $MaximumLength > 1024) {
            $DataType = 'text';
            $eloquentMethod = 'text';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Decimal") {
            $DataType = 'decimal';
            $eloquentMethod = 'decimal';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Boolean") {
            $DataType = 'char';
            $eloquentMethod = 'char';
            $MaximumLength =  1;
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Date") {
            $DataType = 'date';
            $eloquentMethod = 'date';
        } elseif ($retsDataType == "Time") {
            $DataType = 'time';
            $eloquentMethod = 'time';
        } else {
            // Unknown, set a default?
            $DataType = 'varchar';
            $eloquentMethod = 'string';
            $MaximumLength = 255;
        }

        return (object) compact(['DataType', 'eloquentMethod', 'MaximumLength', 'Precision']);
    }
    
    /**
     * Create or update a Field, and its lookups
     *
     * @param $field
     * @param Blueprint $table
     * @param bool $alter Whether we are altering an existing field
     *
     * @return Blueprint
     */
    public function createField($field, Blueprint $table, $alter = false)
    {
        $fieldDefinition = $this->translateRetsField($field);
        $dataType = $fieldDefinition->DataType;
        $method = $fieldDefinition->eloquentMethod;
        $maximumLength = $fieldDefinition->MaximumLength;
        $precision = $fieldDefinition->Precision;

        // If it's a lookup, create the lookup index
        if ($field->Interpretation === 'Lookup') {
            if ($alter) {
                $table->string($field->name, 255)->nullable()->index()->change();
            } else {
                $table->string($field->name, 255)->nullable()->index();
            }

        // Decimal types have a precision and scale
        } elseif ($dataType === 'decimal') {
            if ($alter) {
                $table->$method($field->name, $maximumLength, $precision)->nullable()->change();
            } else {
                $table->$method($field->name, $maximumLength, $precision)->nullable();
            }

        // String Types have a length
        } elseif ($dataType === 'varchar' OR $dataType === 'char') {
            if ($alter) {
                $table->$method($field->name, $maximumLength)->nullable()->change();
            } else {
                $table->$method($field->name, $maximumLength)->nullable();
            }

        // Fields that don't require any special parameters
        } else {
            if ($alter) {
                $table->$method($field->name)->nullable()->change();
            } else {
                $table->$method($field->name)->nullable();
            }
        }

        // Add the primary index
        if ($field->name == 'id') {
            $table->primary('id');
        }

        return $table;
    }
    
    //Usage example (creates the main database table along with fields):
    
    Schema::connection($this->connection)->create($this->mainTableName, function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->engine = 'InnoDB';

        foreach ($this->getMainFields()->merge($this->getLookupFields()) as $field) {  //these are the exact rets field definitions coming from rets/phrets
            $this->createField($field, $table);

            if ($field->Interpretation === 'Lookup') {
                $this->createLookupTable($field);
            }
        }
    });