check model object exists and not null laravel code example

Example 1: check for an existing user laravel eloquent

$users = User::where('email', '=', $request->input('email'))->first();
if ($users === null) {
  // User does not exist
} else {
  // User exits
}

Example 2: laravel seeder check if table has data

use Illuminate\Database\Seeder;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;

class UserSeeder extends Seeder
{
  public function run()
  {
    // check if table is empty before seeding data
    if(DB::table('users')->count() == 0) {
      DB::table('users')->insert([
        [
          'first_name' => 'John',
          'last_name' => 'Doe'
        ]
      ]);
    }
  }
}