Laravel: connect to databases dynamically

Question

I\'m creating an application in Laravel 5(.1) where it is needed to connect to different databases. The only problem is that it\'s not known which databases it has to connec

Answer 1

I've stumbled upon the same problem.

You can actually change database settings in runtime and use them.

Use the config() function to set extra or overwrite existing connection settings.

config(['database.connections.mynewconnection' => {settings here}]);

Keep in mind that these settings are cached. So when you need to use the new settings, purge the DB cache for the connection you're gonna use.

DB::purge('mynewconnection');

You can also manipulate the default connection that is used. This can come in handy if you wish to use migrations over different connections and keep track of them with a migration table within the used connection. Or other cool stuff ofcourse...

DB::setDefaultConnection('mynewconnection');