# Persistent Sessions

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [February 28, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285 "2010-02-28T04:16:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mike343)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285/1 "2010-02-28T04:16:23Z")

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Hi there,

I am trying to figure out how to have persistent sessions (with like a  
month until expiration) for my users, sort of like a “remember me”  
functionality but that is handled automatically on login. I am hoping I  
can get some help from someone who is more experienced with Rails.

I am currently using a controller called “Sessions” to handle my session  
properties.

This is what my controller looks like.

def create  
@current\_user = User.find\_by\_login\_and\_password(  
params[:login], params[:password])

```
if @current_user
  session[:user_id] = @current_user.id
  if session[:return_to]
    redirect_to session[:return_to]
    session[:return_to] = nil
  else
    redirect_to links_path
  end
else
  render :action => 'new'
end

```

end

def destroy  
session[:user\_id] = @current\_user = nil  
end

I have surfed around the internet looking for solutions but their is no  
real consistent method out there. Everyone seems to have a different  
opinion on how to manage sessions/cookies. I am hoping to not have to  
change my controller structure (by say installing a plug-in) and  
sticking with Sessions creation.

Thank you in advance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mike343)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285/2 "2010-02-28T04:52:22Z")

</div>

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 27, 2010, at 7:16 PM, Michael M. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)  
wrote:

> properties.  
> redirect\_to session[:return\_to]  
> session[:user\_id] = @current\_user = nil  
> end
> 
> I have surfed around the internet looking for solutions but their is  
> no  
> real consistent method out there. Everyone seems to have a different  
> opinion on how to manage sessions/cookies. I am hoping to not have to  
> change my controller structure (by say installing a plug-in) and  
> sticking with Sessions creation.
> 
> Thank you in advance.

Michael, I would recommend using Authlogic because it has a method,  
remember\_me\_for, that one can redefine in the user\_session model to  
set the duration of time.

Good luck,

-Conrad

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mike343)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285/3 "2010-03-04T17:55:09Z")

</div>

> Michael, I would recommend using Authlogic because it has a method,  
> remember\_me\_for, that one can redefine in the user\_session model to  
> set the duration of time.
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> -Conrad

I look into this but I am a bit concerned about whether there will be an  
overwriting or conflicts with my current models and controllers. Is is  
possible to install a plugin like Authlogic or restful\_authentication  
with a current user and sessions model and controller? I have already  
created a very basic user and session system and my users are tied in to  
my voting model so I am hoping to not have to rebuild any of my  
database.

If this is possible, do you know of a good tutorial for adding user  
management to an existing site with a more basic user management system?

Thanks for the help.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@mike343](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/mike343)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/persistent-sessions/184285/4 "2010-03-04T22:11:33Z")

</div>

On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 8:55 AM, Michael M.  
[removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)wrote:

> overwriting or conflicts with my current models and controllers. Is is  
> possible to install a plugin like Authlogic or restful\_authentication  
> with a current user and sessions model and controller? I have already  
> created a very basic user and session system and my users are tied in to  
> my voting model so I am hoping to not have to rebuild any of my  
> database.
> 
> If this is possible, do you know of a good tutorial for adding user  
> management to an existing site with a more basic user management system?

Michael, I would recommend reading the docs on the use of the gem which  
can  
be  
found here:

> **[GitHub - binarylogic/authlogic: A simple ruby authentication solution.](https://github.com/binarylogic/authlogic)**
>
> A simple ruby authentication solution. Contribute to binarylogic/authlogic development by creating an account on GitHub.

Good luck,

-Conrad