# Observe\_field without :update

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/observe-field-without-update/108603>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [July 5, 2007, 9:28am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/observe-field-without-update/108603 "2007-07-05T09:28:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![STeffen\_Brunner](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@STeffen\_Brunner](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/STeffen_Brunner)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 9:28am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/observe-field-without-update/108603/1 "2007-07-05T09:28:01Z")

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Hi,

I want to check a select box with the observe\_field method, but won’t do  
a AJAX request if it changes. Instead I want to call a REST-path.  
Letting away the optional :update parameter had no success.

Tx.

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**Author:** ![STeffen\_Brunner](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@STeffen\_Brunner](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/STeffen_Brunner)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/observe-field-without-update/108603/2 "2007-07-05T17:25:38Z")

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Hi Steffen,

STeffen Brunner wrote:

> I want to check a select box with the observe\_field method,  
> but won’t do a AJAX request if it changes. Instead I want to  
> call a REST-path.

observe\_field generates the JS to produce an XMLHttp request to the  
controller / method you specify in the :url parameter. I’m not sure I  
understand exactly what you mean when you say “call a REST-path” but the  
browser will expect a JS response. If you’ll say more about exactly  
what  
you’re trying to accomplish, perhaps we can be of more assistance.

Best regards,  
Bill