Variables output in views?

Hi, I usually always dea with arrays this is the first time I have to
deal with a regular variable… so I have in my method:
def online
@online = Status.count_by_sql “SELECT COUNT(*) FROM status WHERE
status = ‘online’;”
end

and in my layout view I have
<%= @online %>

and nothing comes up… :frowning:

What im doing wrong?