Rails: loop through array to create output

Question

I have a model "tube" which is a database having the various data for vacuum tubes. I want to dynamically loop through all the columns and create a basic table for my "new" and "edit" pages. I grab the attribute names like this:

<% attr_array = @tube.attribute_names %>

And I want to do something like this:

<% attr_array.each{|x| text_field :x } %>

in hopes of dynamically generating this:

<%= form_for @tube do |f| %> <%= f.label :name, :class=>'std_label' %>:
<%= f.text_field :name, :class=>'std_input' %>
<%= f.label :functional_class, :class=>'std_label' %>:
<%= f.text_field :functional_class, :class=>'std_input' %>
<%= f.label :base_type, :class=>'std_label' %>:
<%= f.text_field :base_type, :class=>'std_input' %>
.... and so forth .... <%= f.submit %> <% end %>

But of course this does not work, not by a long shot. How can I generate my text_field inputs dynamically based on the attribute_names array? The table I am using has about 30 attributes and I think it's silly to build them all by hand, especially given that if they change in the future then the code will break. Googling and reading the API have given me the lectures on why this doesn't work, but has left me hi and dry with a code example of what does.

Accurate help appreciated.

apneadiving · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-24 08:12:20Z

2

What about:

<%= form_for @tube do |f| %>
  <% @tube.attribute_names.each do |attr| %>
    <%= f.text_field attr, :class=>'std_input' %>
    <%= f.label attr, :class=>'std_label' %>:
  <% end %>
<%= f.submit %>
<% end %>

answered Apr 24, 2011 at 8:12

apneadiving

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2 Comments

noogrub Over a year ago

apneadiving, you rock. That works perfectly, thank you. I have to study this more and get the difference between ".each do |x|" and ".each{|x| ... }" solidly in my head.

apneadiving Over a year ago

glad to know it helped. There is no difference between the two way of coding you present, just a matter of taste.

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