Search/ filter method for all attributes in my index table - ruby-on-rails

Question

I'm trying to write a row for my index table that filters my objects regarding a specific value of a specific column. What I have until now is this:
pimps_controller.rb:
def index
#pimps = Pimp.search(params[:search])
end
pimp.rb:
def self.search( search)
if search
where('title LIKE ?', "%#{search}%")
else
scoped
end
end
A part of view:
<%= text_field_tag :search, params[:search] %>
That filters after the objects title only so I tried to alter it to make it functional for different search fields that can filter after different attributes. I want to pass a second parameter value if someone fires the search function to make sure it triggers for the right attributes. That's what I've tried:
pimps_controller.rb
#pimps = Pimp.search(params[:search_column],params[:search])
pimp.rb:
def self.search(search_column, search)
if search
col = "%#{search_column}"
s = "%#{search}%"
where(col 'LIKE ?', s)
else
scoped
end
end
The view:
<%= text_field_tag :search, params[:search], params[:search_column => title] %>
But it's not working. I get an error message for passing the both parameters in one search field I guess. How would you do it?

Answer 1

Here's a simple tutorial on how to do it:
https://we.riseup.net/rails/simple-search-tutorial
In the model, you will have to add the fields with or condition to the query.
def self.search(search)
search_condition = "%" + search + "%"
find(:all, :conditions => ['title LIKE ? OR description LIKE ?', search_condition, search_condition])
end
If you want to define the field to search in the params you can use string interpolation with simple quotes:
%q(text contains "#{search.query}")

Answer 2

You need 2 text fields, one for the column, one for the value:
# view
<%= text_field_tag :search_value, params[:search_value] %>
<%= text_field_tag :search_column, params[:search_column] %>
# controller
#pimps = Pimp.search(params[:search_column], params[:search_value])
# Pimp model
def self.search(search_column, search_value)
if search_value.present? && search_column.present?
column = self.column_names.include?(search_column.to_s) ? search_column : 'title'
value = "%#{search_value}%"
where("#{self.table_name}.#{column} LIKE ?", value)
else
scoped
end
end
The problem about this method is that if you don't type the exact name of the column, it will search the value in the column title. I think you should use a select_tag, listing all searchable columns of the model:
# view
<%= select_tag :search_column, options_for_select(Pimp.column_names.map { |col| [col, col] }, params[:search_column]) %>
This view code will display a select tag with the available columns of the Pimp model. You can easily limit the searchable columns by defining a class method on Pimp:
# Pimp model
def searchable_columns
self.column_names - ['id', 'created_at', 'updated_at']
end
# view
<%= select_tag :search_column, options_for_select(Pimp.searchable_columns.map { |col| [col, col] }, params[:search_column]) %>