Add routes for brands, categories, vendors new implementation

inventory-server/src/utils/apiHelpers.js

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/**
+ * Parses a query parameter value based on its expected type.
+ * Throws error for invalid formats. Adjust date handling as needed.
+ */
+function parseValue(value, type) {
+    if (value === null || value === undefined || value === '') return null;
+
+    switch (type) {
+        case 'number':
+            const num = parseFloat(value);
+            if (isNaN(num)) throw new Error(`Invalid number format: "${value}"`);
+            return num;
+        case 'integer': // Specific type for integer IDs etc.
+             const int = parseInt(value, 10);
+             if (isNaN(int)) throw new Error(`Invalid integer format: "${value}"`);
+             return int;
+        case 'boolean':
+            if (String(value).toLowerCase() === 'true') return true;
+            if (String(value).toLowerCase() === 'false') return false;
+            throw new Error(`Invalid boolean format: "${value}"`);
+        case 'date':
+            // Basic ISO date format validation (YYYY-MM-DD)
+            if (!String(value).match(/^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$/)) {
+               console.warn(`Potentially invalid date format passed: "${value}"`);
+               // Optionally throw an error or return null depending on strictness
+               // throw new Error(`Invalid date format (YYYY-MM-DD expected): "${value}"`);
+            }
+            return String(value); // Send as string, let DB handle casting/comparison
+        case 'string':
+        default:
+            return String(value);
+    }
+}
+
+module.exports = { parseValue };