undefined local variable or method 'within' for User:class

Question

Hi there!

I am working with a book to teach myself Ruby-on-Rails. Ruby version is 1.2.3 and rubygems V 1.3.5.

I start the console by ruby script/console and enter:

user = User.new(:screen_name => "example",
?> :email => "exampleATexample.com",
?> :password => "example")

but instead of adding the data to the DB, I get the following:

NameError: undefined local variable or method 'within' for User:Class from D:/ruby/lib/gems/1.8/gems/activerecord-1.15.3/lib/active_record/base.rb:1235:in 'method_missing' from ./script/../config/../config/../app/modules/user.rb:13

I don't really understand what's going on. Any kind of help is much appreciated, thank you!

Answer 1

First, I believe you main Rails v 1.2.3, this is a very old version of Rails, don't use it.

Second thing, the command you entered has wrong Ruby syntax... try this instead:

user =User.new(:screen_name => "example", :email => "exampleATexample.com", :password => "example")

Third thing: please paste more code....

Answer 2

Also, just as a check.

Whenever something doesn't work in Rails that has to do with the database, make sure you run

rake db:migrate

Sometimes this can slip your mind and cause weird errors.

Also, just as a side note... I would make sure that you add some validations to your user model that requires a user to confirm their password and or email. It's generally a good practice.

validates_confirmation_of :password, :email

All the best with learning Rails. Make sure you take @dvyjones's advice and upgrade to the latest version of Rails... a lot has changed since v. 1.2.3