I am working on a form (using SimpleForm) that allows you to edit embedded associations. The problem that I’m running into is that the nested models are subclasses so they are different types with potentially different fields. I’m creating hidden forms for each type of model, and using JavaScript to display the form for the selected type. I’m using Mongoid and SimpleForm, but I expect the implementation would be the same using ActiveRecord and the standard Rails form helpers.
Here’s a simplified example of what I have so far:
class Garage
include Mongoid::Document
embeds_one : vehicle
accepts_nested_attributes_for :vehicle
end
class Vehicle
include Mongoid::Document
embedded_in : garage
attr_accessible :_type
end
class Car < Vehicle
field : car_field
attr_accessible :car_field
end
class Truck < Vehicle
field : truck_field
attr_accessible :truck_field
end
In the console:
> garage = Garage.new
> garage.vehicle = Car.new(car_field: 'something')
> garage.save!
In the form:
= simple_form_for @garage do |f|
= f.input :vehicle do |vehicle_form|
= vehicle_form.input :_type, collection: ['Car', 'Truck']
%span.hide{data:{fields-for:'Car'}}
= vehicle_form.input :
car_field
%span.hide{data:{fields-for:'Truck'}}
= vehicle_form.input :
truck_field
: coffeescript
$('#garage_vehicle_attributes__type').change ->
type = $(@).find('option:selected').val()
$('[data-fields-for="' + type + '"]').show()
The problem that will occur in this example is that it won’t be able to render the truck_field becauseCar does not have a truck_field method. I’m not sure how to solve this problem besides throwing out any form helpers and managing the html and field values manually. Even after much Googling, I haven’t been able to find any examples of this type of form.
How can this problem be solved in a standard, “Rails way” using existing form helpers?
Any tips or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
