What is the redirect() helper in Laravel?

The redirect() helper generates a redirect response. Common uses: return redirect("/dashboard") (redirect to URL), return redirect()->route("dashboard") (redirect to named route), return redirect()->back() (redirect to previous page — useful after form validation failures), return redirect()->route("login"). Flash data to the next request: return redirect()->route("users.index")->with("success", "User created!") — access in Blade with session("success"). For redirects with old input (form re-population): return redirect()->back()->withErrors($validator)->withInput(). The Redirect facade provides the same functionality for non-response contexts.