Laravel - Get old form input values for array-based input

laravel-loop-through-old-flash.php

<?php
  @if(old('uid_tag'))
  @foreach(old('uid_tag') as $product)
    <input type="text" name="uid_tag[]" value="{{ old('uid_tag')[$loop->index] }}" size="30" />
    <textarea 
        placeholder="Include weight or count"
        name="product_description[]"
        cols="45" 
        rows="1" 
        value="{{ old('product_description')[$loop->index] }}"
        aria-required="true" 
    ></textarea>
    <input type="text" name="qty_ordered[]" value="{{ old('qty_ordered')[$loop->index] }}" size="3" />
    <input type="text" name="unit_cost[]" value="{{ old('unit_cost')[$loop->index] }}" />
    <input type="text" name="total_cost[]" value="{{ old('total_cost')[$loop->index] }}" />
   @endforeach
  @endif

    

Wouldn't this @if(old('uid_tag')) prevent the form elements from showing up if there are no old values present?

I'd suggest doing something like, (clean):

@foreach(old('uid_tag', ['value']) as $product)
    ...
@endforeach

This allows the form elements display at least once. Leaving ['value'] as [] returns the result of the code with the if statement.