Faux Columns

Developed by Matt Puchlerz, The Killswitch Collective (killswitchcollective.com) 03.20.2009

I don't like using serialized data. I find that most people use it too much, especially since Rails makes it so easy. serialize :column_name and you're done--almost too simple. Yet on the very rare occasion that it makes sense to use, there are still a few annoyances; namely having to reference all data through the aforementioned column_name.

In many cases it would be more convenient just to reference the attributes within the serialized data column as if they were real attributes. That way there'd be no question what data is being serialized, and you could continue using your form builders as you always have.

The Faux Columns plugin attempts to provide this functionality.

Using the Plugin

class MyModel < ActiveRecord::Base

  faux_columns_in( :actual_column_name, 
                   [ :attribute1 => ClassName, 
                     :attribute2 => ClassName ] )

end

Or perhaps a more real-world scenario...

class MyHouse < ActiveRecord::Base

  faux_columns_in :data,
    :kitchen_cabinets       => Integer,
    :driving_directions     => String,
    :new_roof_installed_on  => Date,
    :nearby_developments    => String,
    :overall_height         => Float

end

In the example above, calling the faux_columns_in method within the given MyHouse model class automatically does the following:

1. Sets up serialization of the data column
2. Creates accessors for each of the symbol keys in the passed in the array of desired attributes

Now you can read and write to the Faux Column attributes just like regular attributes.

house = MyHouse.new

house.kitchen_cabinets = 12
house.driving_directions = "Head south on route 123, turn left at the light."

house.kitchen_cabinets          # => 12
house.driving_directions        # => "Head south on route 123, turn left at the light."
house.data.driving_directions   # => "Head south on route 123, turn left at the light."