adding model validation errors in rescue

Question

I have the following model with a virtual attribute

class Mytimeperiod < ActiveRecord::Base
  validates presence of :from_dt
  validates_format_of :from_dt, :with => /\A\d{2}\/\d{2}\/\d{4}\Z/, :message => "format is mm/dd/yyyy"

  def from_dt
     self.from_date.strftime("%m/%d/%Y") if !self.from_date.blank?
  end

  def from_dt=(from_dt)
    self.from_date = Date.parse(from_dt)
  rescue
    self.errors.add_to_base("invalid from dt")
  end
end

I am using <%= f.error_messages %> to display the error messages on the form.

I am using from_dt as a virtual attribute (string). The 'presence of' and 'format of' validation errors show up on the form, but when the user enters an invalid date format on the form and Date.Parse raises an exception I have a 'errors.add_to_base' statement in the rescue clause. Can anyone tell me why this error does not show up in the form error messages when I disable the 'format of' validation.

thanks.

Answer 1

I believe the problem is actually just your syntax, you need to start add a begin to the start of the block that has the rescue:

def from_dt=(from_dt)
  begin
    self.from_date = Date.parse(from_dt)
  rescue
    self.errors.add_to_base("invalid from dt")
  end
end

Answer 2

Your syntax looks OK. If you're having issues testing in the console, make sure to do reload! (or exit and run script/console again).

If the only reason you're using a virtual attribute is to validate the date format, don't forget you can make your own validations with the validate method (untested):

class Mytimeperiod < ActiveRecord::Base

  protected

  def validate
    date = Date.parse(from_date)
  rescue
    errors.add("from_date", "date is invalid")
  end
end

This has the advantage of adding errors to the field rather than the object.