sweet_merb_fixtures¶ ↑

A plugin for the Merb framework and DataMapper that provides a way to create
records from YAML files.

How to use:¶ ↑

Send this method in merb irb console,

  merb -i
  >> Merb::Fixtures.load_fixture("filename without extension", "file2", "file3")

Or

  merb -i
  >> MF.load_fixture(:file1, :file2)

is also possible.

When using rspec, 
- load_fixture method : loading data
- fixtures method : accessing to loaded data
- :given_fixture option : specify fixture file names that a ExampleGroup uses.

By default DataMapper.auto_migrate! is called before storing records.
This option is available for disabling this behavior.

  Merb::Plugins.config[:sweet_merb_fixtures][:auto_migrate] = false

Or you can override Merb::Fixture.prepare_database method.

These method are chainable:

  Merb::Fixtures::Hash#code_to_create_record
  Merb::Fixtures::Hash#code_to_create_child_record
  Merb::Fixtures::Hash#code_to_report
  Merb::Fixtures::Hash#code_to_report_errors

The Location of YAML files:¶ ↑

You can specify the directory for fixture YAML files by

  Merb::Plugins.config[:sweet_merb_fixtures][:fixture_dir] = path / to / your_dir

If you don't specify any direcotry,  Merb.dir_for(:lib) / fixtures  is used.

How YAML could be.¶ ↑

1. you can write parameters of multiple storage in a file.
  cats:
    -
      name: Tama
    -
      name: Tora
  dogs:
    -
      name: Pochi
    -
      name: Hachi

2. you can specify the one to many associations and :through associations.
  parents:
    -
      name: Tama
      children:
        -
          name: Tora

3. you can specify the name of records.

  cats:
    -
      # pass string as id
      id: white 
      name: Tama

4. you can specify the common value of records.

  cats:
    # The way could be better.
    :"{color: white}"
      -
        name: Tama
      -
        name: Shiro

5. you can write erb code in yaml file
  cats:
    -
      name: <%= "a" * 5 %>

More details are in spec doc, actually possible ways are gradually increasing,
it's better to see YAML files under spec/fixture/lib/fixtures/*.yml.