# Sharing model validation code in lib/, how do I do this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [May 9, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/sharing-model-validation-code-in-lib-how-do-i-do-this/188277 "2010-05-09T00:27:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Matthew\_Hillsboroug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Matthew\_Hillsboroug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Matthew_Hillsboroug)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/sharing-model-validation-code-in-lib-how-do-i-do-this/188277/1 "2010-05-09T00:27:36Z")
Hello everyone, I’m having a bit of difficulty finding out the proper way to mix in code that I put into the lib/ directory for Rails 2.3.5. I have several models that require phone validation. I had at least three models that used the same code, so I wanted to keep things DRY and moved it out to the lib/ directory. I used to have code like this in each model: ``` validate :phone_is_valid ``` Then I’d have a phone\_is\_valid method in the model: ``` protected def phone_is_valid # process a bunch of logic errors.add_to_base("invalid phone") if validation failed end ``` I moved this code out into lib/phones/ and in lib/phones I have lib/phones/phone\_validation.rb, and in there I copy pasted the phone\_is\_valid method. My question is, how do I mix this into all of my models now? And does my validate :phone\_is\_valid method remain the same or does that change? I want to make sure that the errors.add\_to\_base method continues to function as it did before while keeping everything DRY. obviously the following won’t work: ``` validate :Phones::PhoneValidation::phone_is_valid(number) ``` I also created another file in lib/phones/ called lib/phones/phone\_normalize.rb. Again, many models need the value input by the user to be normalized. Meaning turn (555) 222-1212 to 5552221212 or something similar. Can I invoke that simply by invoking Phones::Phone\_Normalize::normalize\_method(number)? I suppose I’m confused on the following: - How to use the lib directory for validation of multiple models that need access to a particular validation method - How to use the lib directory for commonly shared methods that return values Thanks for the help, Matthew. ---
**Author:** ![Matthew\_Hillsboroug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Matthew\_Hillsboroug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Matthew_Hillsboroug)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/sharing-model-validation-code-in-lib-how-do-i-do-this/188277/2 "2010-05-09T12:36:51Z")
On 9 May 2010 00:26, Matthew Hillsborough [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)wrote: > phone\_is\_valid method. > the user to be normalized. Meaning turn (555) 222-1212 to 5552221212 or > Thanks for the help, > For more options, visit this group at > [http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk?hl=en). Maybe the following will help you … 6 Creating Custom Validation Methods … > **[rails.info](http://guides.rails.info/activerecord_validations_callbacks.html)** > > Ruby on Rails,Rails Tutorial,Ruby Basics,Rails 4,Bar Rails,Rail and/or … [http://marklunds.com/articles/one/312](http://marklunds.com/articles/one/312)