Rails: problems performing 'split' on string

Question

When creating a new entry for my "question" object, my code works fine.

However, using various methods, I can't get the edit route to submit to def update correctly.

After a lot of head-scratching, I realized my create method performs a split on a named object like this:

def create
  @question = Question.new(params[:question])
  ...
  @question.options = @question.options.split(',').collect(&:strip)

In my update method,

def update
  @question = Question.find(params[:id])

I need to somehow format the options of params[:question] in this line:

  if @question.update_attributes(params[:question])

Otherwise, update_attributes fails. I cannot figure out how to do this. Any help appreciated.

Output of @question.options after formatting with split:

["options", "---\n- Extremely unlikely\n- Unlikely\n- Neutral\n- Likely\n- Extremely likely\n-"]

can you please show your the form you are using to update @question. — Larry McKenzie
– Larry McKenzie, Commented Jun 17, 2013 at 21:34
What are the options doing in params[:question]? How does the update_attributes fail? Does the update action fire? Throw an error? Not update an attribute? If so, which attribute? — davidfurber
– davidfurber, Commented Jun 18, 2013 at 3:47
The options are in params[:question] because they are being passed in to #update from #edit. — Adam Grant
– Adam Grant, Commented Jun 18, 2013 at 13:46

cthulhu · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-18 14:21:41Z

2

If I understand your problem correctly, you should move your formatting code to a callback in your Question class:

class Question
  before_save :format_options
  def format_options
    write_attribute :options, read_attribute(:options).split(',').collect(&:strip)
  end
end

answered Jun 18, 2013 at 14:21

cthulhu

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1 Comment

Adam Grant Over a year ago

This worked so damn well. I've been spending HOURS on this. What an elegant solution. THANK YOU.

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