# How to populate databases in Laravel

Laravel includes the ability to seed your database with data using seed classes. All seed classes are stored in the `database/seeders` directory. By default, a `DatabaseSeeder` class is defined for you. From this class, you may use the `call` method to run other seed classes, allowing you to control the seeding order.

To generate a seeder, execute the `make:seeder` Artisan command. All seeders generated by the framework will be placed in the `database/seeders` directory:

```bash
php artisan make:seeder UserSeeder
```

A seeder class only contains one method by default: `run`. This method is called when the `db:seed` Artisan command is executed. Within the `run` method, you may insert data into your database however you wish. You may use the query builder to manually insert data or you may use Eloquent model factories.

```php
namespace Database\Seeders;
 
use App\Models\Link;
use Illuminate\Database\Seeder;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
 
class LinkSeeder extends Seeder
{
    /**
     * Run the database seeds.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function run()
    {
        //only import seeds if DB is empty.
        if (!Link::count()) {
            // do your imports here
						// you can use model factories or query builders too
        }
    }
}
```

## Running seeders

You may execute the `db:seed` Artisan command to seed your database. By default, the `db:seed` command runs the `Database\Seeders\DatabaseSeeder` class, which may in turn invoke other seed classes. However, you may use the `--class` option to specify a specific seeder class to run individually:

```bash
php artisan db:seed
 
php artisan db:seed --class=UserSeeder
```