rails store array in to database field

Question

I want to store an array into a database field. I tried the following method:

class MyStuff < ActiveRecord::Base  
  serialize :things
end

stuff = MyStuff.new 
stuff.things << "pen" 
stuff.things << "paper"
stuff.save

I get an error: "The error occurred while evaluating nil.<<"

Is there any other approach?

Syed Aslam · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-13 14:13:32Z

8

What is "things". Define it to be Array or Hash or something you want that to be and then add elements to it.

stuff = MyStuff.new 

stuff.things = []
stuff.things << "pen"
..

stuff.save

answered May 13, 2011 at 14:13

Syed Aslam

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1 Comment

Do I need to use serialize?

Muntasim · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-17 01:54:17Z

2

you can use this, this will work for existing things as well.

stuff.things ||= [] //without || your existing things will be reset
stuff.things << "pen"
..

answered Apr 17, 2012 at 1:54

Muntasim

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Good point. With .new it doesn't matter, but with existing records, your answer will save many from deleting their data!