# Using an AR Model to Specify and Store Complex Searches **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [May 13, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024 "2007-05-13T02:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dasil003)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024/1 "2007-05-13T02:58:40Z")
For a recent project I’ve had to create very complex search forms that were core to the application. Because I wanted the ability to save searches I decide that the search itself should be represented as a model, but once I got done I really liked the solution. I’m looking to turn a lot of the boilerplate into a plugin, but I want feedback first to see how other people are tackling the problem. My writeup is at [http://darwinweb.net/article/Implementing\_Advanced\_Search\_In\_Rails\_Using\_Search\_Models](http://darwinweb.net/article/Implementing_Advanced_Search_In_Rails_Using_Search_Models) I welcome any feedback. ---
**Author:** ![dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dasil003)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024/2 "2007-05-13T14:26:31Z")
Darwin, I went to your link and found a long list of links, NONE describing what you’re talking about? I am very interested in learning and helping you with this technique as I can see many places it’s needed. David ---
**Author:** ![dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dasil003)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024/3 "2007-05-13T18:16:52Z")
It’s right there! That’s a direct link to the article. The sidebar links are old articles. ---
**Author:** ![dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dasil003)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 2:58pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024/4 "2007-05-14T14:58:11Z")
Darwin, I have much ‘egg on my face’ this morning and appreciate your patience in directing me to your article. I left a comment there and a ‘Thank you’ and wish to extend an offer to help ‘digest’ this brilliant approach to the community. I see the HUGE hole in Rails as it’s end user query options and feel you are the best thing for an Enterprise solution. David ---
**Author:** ![dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dasil003](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/dasil003)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/using-an-ar-model-to-specify-and-store-complex-searches/104024/5 "2007-05-14T20:01:43Z")
Thanks for the kind words. My blog is extremely basic and definitely needs some interface work. Your comment did not come through, probably because you have to Preview first in order to Save. I still have quite a bit of work to bring this up to the level of other Rails plugins I use every day. I’m surprised that I haven’t been able to find anything out there like this, but I’m sure there’s a lot of experience and patterns that smarter people than me are using in this area. Once I finish the plugin I will post another message here and hopefully will be able to garner some attention and provide a robust solution. I want to publically acknowledge Zach D. for creating ActiveRecord::Extensions which makes hash-based conditions so much more powerful.