rails ruby method invocation by Javascript

Question

I'm working on rails app and have stumbled upon stupid yet simple problem. I need to invoke ruby method by triggering javascript button. I have a controller called Book and I'm placing method inside BooksHelper. What I want to do is simply trigger the execution of this method by button click which would output the result on the same page, I don't want that method opening another page. I've checked couple possible solutions but can't make them work. None of those methods in example.html.erb actually work. I would like to get help on how to fix the problem. It only works if I wrap up in alert method, but that's not what I want. I want the output to be printed out in the actual page. So, how can I do it? I've read the http://guides.rubyonrails.org/working_with_javascript_in_rails.html but it doesnt answer my question, since I'm not looking for creating new pages with controller and routes, but rather executing a ruby method in order to see result on the same page. Thank you!

<%= button_to_function "Output", "alert('#{outputString}')" %>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#app/helpers/book_helper.rb
   module BooksHelper
     def outputString
        "output"
 end
   end

-----------------------------------------------------

#app/controllers/books_controller.rb
   class PagesController < ApplicationController
      def outputString

       end
   end
  ------------------------------------------------------

  #app/views/books/example.html.erb

   <%= button_to_function "Print", "outputString" %>

   <%= button_to "Print", :action => "outputString" %>

   <input class="ok" onclick="outputString()" type="button" value="Print" />

cpjolicoeur · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-28 14:54:43Z

1

The controller/helper method outputString isn't available client-side once your templates are rendered.

button_to_function is for calling javascript functions via button click. You cannot call server-side functions directly from a javascript button without making an AJAX request back to the server.

answered Oct 28, 2013 at 14:54

cpjolicoeur

13.1k7 gold badges50 silver badges60 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

user2928354 Over a year ago

So, this problem is only solved via AJAX? no other option? I have no knowledge of AJAX unfortunately, guess will have to learn it now..Thanks!

Mulan Over a year ago

@user2928354, yep, you're looking at a remote procedure call. And yep, it uses AJAX.

cpjolicoeur Over a year ago

Yes, look at it like the Rails code is server-side and the views are rendered and executed client-side. So when this html is sent down to the client (browser) and they click the button they are client-side, they dont have access to functions that only live on the server in server-side code.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

rails ruby method invocation by Javascript

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related