Question

Following is an extract from API for collection_select method:

collection_select(object, method, collection, value_method, text_method, options = {}, html_options = {})

My collection is the array of strings. In the text_method I would like to output the modified string gsub(some regex stuff). What is the best way of doing it? I could think of reopening String class and implementing something for text_method but if would imagine its not really nice way.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There are three options what you could do:

1. What you have noticed in your question: Open the String class, define a (very special) method like myapp_gsub (without arguments) and include that as text_method.
2. Define a model class, include the model objects in your collection, and define inside the model object a text method.
3. Alias the method ActionView::Helpers::FormOptionsHelper#options_from_collection_for_select and add the option that the text_method can be a block. Then you are free to define the text_method as well as block. I would not recommend that if you are not completely sure what the impact of that “enhancement” is.

So opening the String class would be the easiest option, in my opinion.