If you are new to laravel then i think i can suggest this link : https://itsolutionstuff.com/post/how-to-create-rest-api-in-laravel-5-example.html for create api, i think this is better because in that link i see it's create basic coman function for success and error response. You can do it simply RESTFul API with laravel 5.5 app. Thanks :)

I love linux, i am php laravel developer. Why Linux is best because it's smooth and faster then other and also it's free. When i was in college. i usally use windows for development of my php project, but almost huge hang my system and not feed as developer. But when i start my first job i use linux and it seems to great experience with it. i like so much to work with it. I think linux is beter for every developer and it helps to learn new commands that can use in live serve. Thanks :)