I have a database table with quite a few fields in it (more than I like,
but needed to meet the specs). I’m needing to do a fairly complex query
that will be built on the fly according to parameters given by the user.
find_by_name_and … isn’t too useful as I’m not sure which fields I’m
finding by until the user enters their data. Also, I’d really be
surprised if rails built in find_by could handle 20 - 25 predicates -
which is possible.
I was looking for a find method that would allow me to simply specify a
condition string ("itemgroup > 2 and buildwidth < 200 and "), but I
don’t see one. I see the find_by_sql, and can certainly use it, but with
the linked tables (owned by) the fields and joins are going to be fun to
build - doable, but fun.
I can’t be the first to run across this need in rails. Is there another
way than find_by_sql - or should I start coding the raw select? Since
I’ve been working in rails, I’ve become kinda lazy.
Thanks in advance
—Michael