How can I handle a folder-like model structure?

Question

I have this Rails model: (Parameters removed for clarity)

class Folder < ActiveRecord::Base
  belongs_to :parent, :class_name => :folder 
  has_many :children, :class_name => :folder
end

I want this model to be used like a file system folder. How do I have to configure the routes and the controller to make this possible?

Answer 1

1) As for the model: check out acts_as_tree

2) As for the routes: do something like

map.folder '/folders/*path', :controller => 'folders', :action => 'show'

and in the FoldersController,

def show
  # params[:path] contains an array of folder names
  @folder = Folder.root
  params[:path].each |name|
    @folder = @folder.children.find_by_name(name) or raise ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound
  end
  # there you go, @folder contains the folder identified by the path
end