AdequateErrors

Overcoming limitation of Rails model errors API:

• fine-grained where query
• object-oriented Error object
• turn off message's attribute prefix.
• lazy evaluation of messages

We want some of this as part of Rails

I have opened a pull request to migrate some ideas to Rails. It's a great chance for you to shape the future of the API. Please join the discussion there :)

Introduction

Rails errors API is simple to use, but can be inadequate when coping with more complex requirements.

Examples of how existing Rails API is limiting are listed here: http://lulalala.logdown.com/posts/2909828-adequate-errors

The existing API was originally a collection of message strings without much meta data, making it very restrictive. Though details hash was added later for storing meta information, many fundamental issues can not be fixed without altering the API and the architecture.

This gem redesigned the API, placing it in its own object, co-existing with existing Rails API. Thus nothing will break, allowing you to migrate the code one at a time.

Quick start

To access the AdequateErrors, call:

model.errors.adequate

From this Errors object, many convenience methods are provided:

Return an array of AdequateErrors::Error objects, matching a condition:

model.errors.adequate.where(attribute:'title', :type => :too_short, length: 5)

Prints out each error's full message one by one:

model.errors.adequate.each {|error| puts error.message }

Return an array of all message strings:

model.errors.adequate.messages

Error object

An Error object provides the following:

• attribute is the model attribute the error belongs to.
• type is the error type.
• options is a hash containing additional information such as :count or :length.
• message is the error message. It is full message by design.

where query

Use where method to find errors matching different conditions. An array of Error objects are returned.

To find all errors of title attribute, pass it with :attribute key:

model.errors.adequate.where(:attribute => :title)

You can also filter by error type using the :type key:

model.errors.adequate.where(:type => :too_short)

Custom attributes passed can also be used to filter errors:

model.errors.adequate.where(:attribute => :title, :type => :too_short, length: 5)

include?

Same as Rails, provide the attribute name to see if that attribute has errors.

add, delete

Same as built-in counterparts.

import

For copying an error from inner model to outer model, such as form object. This ensures lazy message generation can still reference all information that the inner error has.

inner_model.errors.adequate.each do |error|
  errors.adequate.import(error)
end

Attribute and type can be overriden in case when attribute does not exist in the outer model:

  errors.adequate.import(error, attribute: :foo, type: :bar)

Message and I18n

Error message strings reside under adequate_errors namespace. Unlike Rails, there is no global prefixing of attributes. Instead, %{attribute} is added into each error message when needed.

en:
  adequate_errors:
    messages:
      invalid: "%{attribute} is invalid"
      inclusion: "%{attribute} is not included in the list"
      exclusion: "%{attribute} is reserved"

This allows omission of attribute prefix. You no longer need to attach errors to :base for that purpose.

Built-in Rails error types already have been prefixed out of the box, but error types from other gems have to be handled manually by copying entries to the adequate_errors namespace and prefixing with attributes.

Error messages are evaluated lazily, which means it can be rendered in a different locale at view rendering time.

messages

Returns an array of all messages.

model.errors.adequate.messages

messages_for

Returns an array of messages, filtered by conditions. Method argument is the same as where.

model.errors.adequate.messages_for(:attribute => :title, :type => :too_short, length: 5)

Full documentation

http://www.rubydoc.info/github/lulalala/adequate_errors

Note

Calls to Rails' API are synced to AdequateErrors object, but not in reverse. Deprecated methods such as []=, get and set are not sync'ed however.

The gem is developed from ActiveModel 5.1, but it should work with earlier versions.

We want to hear your issues too

If you also have issues with exsting API, share it by filing that issue here.

We collect use cases in issues and analyze the problem in wiki (publicly editable):

So come to our wiki, see what's going on, and join us!

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This repo was called Rails Error API Redesign Initiative.
This is a fan project and is not affiliated to Rails Core team,
but my wish is that one day this can be adapted into Rails too.