where to put helper fns for fixtures?

rubyonrails-talk
1

I'm writing a fixture in test/fixtures/parrots_model.yml, and I'm happily using ERB to flesh out my fixture. Suddenly, I realize that I need a helper function to call from my erb code, such as:

polly:   subtype: parakeet   weight_kg: <%= ounces_to_kg(22.3) %>

alex:   subtype: african gray   weight_kg: <%= ounces_to_kg(170.3) %>

Where's the right place to stash the "ounces_to_kg()" function so that it's available when I rake db:load:fixtures? (And does the answer change if its a method specific to the parrot model?)

tia.

2

Fearless Fool wrote:

I'm writing a fixture in test/fixtures/parrots_model.yml, and I'm happily using ERB to flesh out my fixture. Suddenly, I realize that I need a helper function to call from my erb code, such as:

polly:   subtype: parakeet   weight_kg: <%= ounces_to_kg(22.3) %>

alex:   subtype: african gray   weight_kg: <%= ounces_to_kg(170.3) %>

Where's the right place to stash the "ounces_to_kg()" function so that it's available when I rake db:load:fixtures?

Nowhere, because IMHO it's never right to use Rails fixtures. Use factories instead -- I'm fond of Machinist, but there are other solutions out there. This will solve your problem and also give you many other advantages.

Fixtures are a horribly broken feature of Rails. Don't bother with them.

(And does the answer change if its a method specific to the parrot model?)

tia.

Best,

3

Marnen Laibow-Koser wrote:

...snip... Where's the right place to stash the "ounces_to_kg()" function so that it's available when I rake db:load:fixtures?

Nowhere, because IMHO it's never right to use Rails fixtures. Use factories instead -- I'm fond of Machinist, but there are other solutions out there. This will solve your problem and also give you many other advantages.

Fixtures are a horribly broken feature of Rails. Don't bother with them.

Thanks Marnen -- very helpful.