Question

I have a model (share) in which I save who can edit a lesson.
It is separated from the user model, and from the lesson model.
The data is currently saved as

|share_id | lesson_id | shared_ids |
|    2    |     23    | "45,66,21" |

Where “shared_ids” are the user ids that can edit the lesson

I would like to split it into

|share_id | lesson_id | shared_ids |
|    2    |     23    |    "45"    |
|    3    |     23    |    "66"    |
|    4    |     23    |    "21"    |

I have managed to split the shared_ids, but it is currently saved as one array inside the table :

|share_id | lesson_id |   shared_ids   |
|    2    |     23    | "45","66","21" |

Thanks for your help.

—- Edit —-
The Share class looks like that:

class Share < ActiveRecord::Base
  attr_accessible :shared_token, :shared_ids
  belongs_to :lesson

  attr_reader :shared_token
  serialize :shared_ids
  # @Todo: save each seperately #
  def shared_token=(ids)
    self.shared_ids = ids.split(",")
  end
end

—- Edit 2 —–
The form for shared_token in the lesson view:

<%= f.fields_for :shares do |builder| %>
  <%= builder.label :shared_token, "Type the user names you wish to share the lesson with:" %>
  <%= builder.text_field :shared_token, "data-pre" => @shared_ids %>
<% end %>

Answer 1

Since Shares are children of Lessons, I think you might want to write a methed in your Lesson model that would iterate through the ids in a list (which you’ve already figured out how to generate) and create a Share for each id. something like…

def build_shares_from_list(ids)
    ids.each do |id|
        @share = self.shares.build({:share_ids => id})
        @share.save
    end
end

Then call that from your Lesson controller, and point your form to the appropriate controller action.