check if record exists sql before inserting laravel code example

Example 1: laravel check record exists

$user = User::where('email', '=', Input::get('email'))->first();
if ($user === null) {
   // user doesn't exist
}

Example 2: laravel how to check if there are record exists

//User::  User is going to be what model you use.
//$user can be what ever you need it to be
$user = User::where('email', '=', Input::get('email'))->first();
if ($user != null) {
   // Record does exist
}