Ruby and Javascript: passing a Ruby array as a Javascript variable

Question

I'm trying to dynamically draw a Google Map and place a marker on it. In my controller, I assemble an array containing the name of the businesss, latitude, longitude and a z-index.

I have an array in Ruby that is available to my Rails view:

@locations = [["Location One",36.0552,-114.928,1]]

When I try to use that array in some Javascript:

var loc = <%= @locations %>

I see this in view source:

var loc = [[&quot;Location One&quot;,36.0552,-114.928,1]]

In order for the map to display the variable needs to read like:

var loc = [['Location One',36.0552,-114.928,1]]

With the quotes intact around the first element of the array. If I hard code that last line into the Javascript the map renders correctly. It really seems to be the quot; tags that are messing things up.

There will be more than one location on the map so I thought an array of arrays would be the best way to get the needed data into my view.

How can I accomplish this? Thanks.

sawa · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-15 15:00:31Z

1

Edit Corrected following DNNX's comment.

I think you need to convert it to json (a subset of JavaScript) before rendering:

require "json"
...
var loc = <%= @locations.to_json.html_safe %>

edited Jul 15, 2014 at 15:00

answered Jul 15, 2014 at 14:50

sawa

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2 Comments

DNNX Over a year ago

<%= @locations.to_json %> doesn't work. <%= @locations.to_json.html_safe %> does.

svf Over a year ago

I didn't know about html_safe. Thanks guys.

ChrisW · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-15 14:55:38Z

0

you need to use html_safe to prevent the escape the quote

answered Jul 15, 2014 at 14:55

ChrisW

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1 Comment

ohmu Over a year ago

Providing a simple example would be useful.

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