3 Lesser-Known Rails Features for Querying Databases

Improve your Rails app’s performance, flexibility, and data integrity with these three useful features.

A comprehensive guide to HTTP status codes in Ruby on Rails

The :status option provides flexibility in customizing the HTTP status code for a Rails response. By default, Rails generates a response with the appropriate HTTP status code, typically 200 OK for successful requests. However, the :status option allows developers to explicitly set the status code, enabling more granular control over response behavior. This option proves particularly useful when the default status code is not suitable for the response, such as returning a 404 Not Found status code for missing resources.

Why to use find_each instead of all in Ruby on Rails

In Ruby on Rails, there are two main methods for retrieving all records from a model: all and find_each. Both methods return an ActiveRecord::Relation, but they have different performance characteristics.

Computer Programming: Modern Day Magic?

A curious topic repeated across internet forums and social media is the uncanny parallel between programming and the occult.

When to use subject vs. let in RSpec

Subject allows you to define a common object to be tested in multiple examples in a single test case. It is typically used to represent an instance of the class that you are testing.

Rails 7.1: Generate tokens for specific purposes with generates_token_for

Rails 7.1 introduces a new method, generates_token_for, which allows you to generate tokens for specific purposes. These tokens can expire and can also embed record data. When using a token to fetch a record, the data from the token and the current data from the record will be compared. If the two do not match, the token will be treated as invalid.

A faster way to check the sign of a number in Ruby on Rails

Ruby has two methods for checking the sign of a number: positive? and negative?. These methods were introduced in Ruby 2.3, and they provide a more concise and readable way to check the sign of a number than using comparison operators.

Rails 7.1: Normalizes - A powerful new feature for data validation

In Rails 7.1, a new method has been added to the Active Record called normalizes. This method allows developers to normalize values before they are persisted in the database.

Understanding Load, Require, and Autoload

When working with Ruby on Rails, it’s crucial to understand how different mechanisms load and manage files within your application. Three essential concepts to grasp are load, require, and autoload. Each of these serves a unique purpose and has its own set of characteristics. In this blog post, we’ll delve into these concepts, highlighting their differences and providing examples of their usage.

How to Iterate Over an Array in Groups in Ruby and Rails

Ruby’s each_slice and in_groups_of methods are used to iterate over an array in groups of a certain size. The each_slice method takes a single argument, which is the size of the group. The in_groups_of method takes two arguments, the first is the size of the group and the second is the value that should be used to fill the groups that do not have the exact size.

Why Software Development Companies Make Ideal Startup Studios

Maybe you’ve noticed that more and more software development companies are turning into startup studios. It’s not just a trend; it’s a smart business move. Here’s why it’s happening, in plain and simple terms:

Exploring Ruby Documentation with ri

In Ruby, the command ri is used to access the built-in documentation (also known as “RDoc”) of a library, class, method, or specific topic. ri is an abbreviation for “Ruby Interactive” or “Ruby Index.”

Exploring 'Frozen String Literal': A Ruby Magic Comment

A comment in Ruby on Rails (and in programming in general) is a piece of text that is ignored by the interpreter when executing the code. Comments are used to provide explanations, documentation, or notes within the code to make it more understandable.

Introducing the ActiveRecord::Base::normalizes API Method in Rails 7.1

Rails 7.1 introduced a new method called ActiveRecord::Base::normalizes which can be used to declare normalizations for attribute values. This can be especially useful for sanitizing user input, ensuring consistent formatting, or cleaning up data from external sources.

Exploring OpenStruct and Struct

In Ruby, both OpenStruct and Struct provide ways to create objects with predefined attributes. However, they differ in functionality and flexibility. Let’s explore the differences between OpenStruct and Struct, and showcase examples to illustrate their usage.

Understanding the Differences: Traditional Forms vs. Form Objects in Rails

In Ruby on Rails, handling complex forms efficiently and maintaining clean and organized code is crucial. This is where Form Objects come into play. Let’s explore the concept of Form Objects and highlight the key differences between using a Form Object and a traditional form approach. Let’s dive in!

Removing Unused Code from your Ruby App: Coverband Gem and Best Practices

The presence of dead code in a Ruby on Rails application can lead to performance bottlenecks, increased maintenance costs, and unnecessary complexity. Fortunately, the Coverband Ruby gem offers a powerful solution for identifying and removing unused code.

The Power of Rails Console with the --sandbox Option

Rails console is a powerful tool for interacting with your Rails application’s code and database. But what if you want to experiment with changes without affecting your production data? Enter the --sandbox option.

Introduction to Presenters: Simplifying View Logic in Ruby

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of Presenters and how they can simplify view logic in Ruby on Rails, especially when conditionals are overused.

Error Handling in Ruby: Exception Handling and Best Practices

Error handling is a crucial aspect of writing robust and reliable code. In Ruby, exception handling provides a mechanism to gracefully handle and recover from errors during program execution. In this article, we will explore exception handling in Ruby, understand how to handle errors using begin-rescue blocks, and discuss best practices for effective error handling. We’ll cover key concepts and provide code examples to illustrate exception handling in Ruby.

Metaprogramming in Ruby

Ruby is a dynamically-typed and highly flexible language that allows programmers to modify and extend the behavior of code at runtime. Metaprogramming is a powerful technique in Ruby that leverages its dynamic nature to write code that can generate or modify other code.

Introduction to the Interactor Gem: Simplifying Business Logic in Ruby

The Interactor gem is a powerful tool that simplifies the implementation of workflows in Ruby applications. By breaking down tasks into smaller components, known as interactors, and utilizing the context for data sharing, we can simplify business logic and improve code maintainability. In this blog post, we’ll explore how interactors can simplify business logic by implementing order fulfillment for an e-commerce application.

Difference between params and request.env in Rails Controllers

When working with Rails controllers, accessing data from incoming requests is a common task. Two commonly used objects for retrieving request data are params and request.env. Understanding the differences between these two objects and their appropriate usage is crucial for effective request handling and data retrieval in Rails applications.

Difference Between render and redirect_to in Rails Controllers

In a Rails application, rendering and redirecting are two common ways to handle responses in controllers. While both methods serve distinct purposes, understanding their differences is crucial for effective request handling and maintaining a smooth request/response cycle.