RAILS Views: entering NULL

Ruby
1

I have looked around the net and can’t find the answer to this
question. I have a date column that is allowed to be null. How do I
allow the user to enter a null date in the form?

Old hand at Ruby, new to RAILS…

2

On Jul 16, 2007, at 17:10 , [email protected] wrote:

I have looked around the net and can’t find the answer to this
question. I have a date column that is allowed to be null. How do I
allow the user to enter a null date in the form?

Old hand at Ruby, new to RAILS…

You might try the Ruby on Rails mailing list:

http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk

Michael G.
grzm seespotcode net

3

[email protected] wrote:

I have looked around the net and can’t find the answer to this
question. I have a date column that is allowed to be null. How do I
allow the user to enter a null date in the form?

AFAIK, there isn’t a preset, easy way to do it. Here’s my 2 ways:

  1. If you’re using the date_select helper, I would add a check_box.
    Note that the check_box field’s object_name is not “your_record_object”
    If it was, the update_attributes method would fail because there is no
    field called “your_date_field_is_null” in the record.

Like so: (Note: missing labels, etc)

<%=date_select 'your_record_object', 'your_date_field' %>

<%=check_box 'options', 'your_date_field_is_null' %>

Then in your controller, test for the checkbox and set the date field to
nil if applicable.

Like so: (this could be prettier)

@record = YourRecordObject.find(params[:id])
if request.post?
  if @record.update_attributes(params[:your_record_object])
    if params[:options].has_key?('your_date_field_is_null') &&
         params[:options]['your_date_field_is_null'].eql? '1'
      @record.update_attribute(:your_date_field, nil)
    end
  end
end
  1. If you’re using the text_field helper, I would test the text_field
    input for empty? (in the controller) and set it to nil if applicable

Like so: (this could be prettier)

@record = YourRecordObject.find(params[:id])

if request.post?
  if params[:your_record_object][:your_date_field].empty?
    params[:your_record_object][:your_date_field] = nil
  else
    params[:your_record_object][:your_date_field] =
        params[:your_record_object][:your_date_field].to_date
  end

  if @record.update_attributes(params[:your_record_object])
    flash[:notice] = "Your Record Object was updated successfully."
  end
end

–
Travis W.

“Programming in Java is like dealing with your mom –
it’s kind, forgiving, and gently chastising.
Programming in C++ is like dealing with a disgruntled
girlfriend – it’s cold, unforgiving, and doesn’t tell
you what you’ve done wrong.”

4

how about date_select(blah, blah, :include_blank => true)

[email protected] wrote:

I have looked around the net and can’t find the answer to this
question. I have a date column that is allowed to be null. How do I
allow the user to enter a null date in the form?

Old hand at Ruby, new to RAILS…

5

On Jul 17, 6:42 am, Matthew R. [email protected] wrote:

how about date_select(blah, blah, :include_blank => true)

Ooh, nifty. Thanks!