Define several json formats for model - ruby-on-rails

Question

In my rails app i defined a specific JSON-Format in my model:
def as_json(options={})
{
:id => self.id,
:name => self.name + ", " + self.forname
}
end
And in the controller i simply call:
format.json { render json: #patients}
So now im trying to define another JSON-Format for a different action but i dont know how?
How do i have to define another as_json or how can i pass variables to as_json? Thanks

Answer 1

A very ugly method but you can refactor it for better readability:
def as_json(options={})
if options.empty?
{ :id => self.id, :name => self.name + ", " + self.forname }
else
if options[:include_contact_name].present?
return { id: self.id, contact_name: self.contact.name }
end
end
end
Okay, I should give you a better piece of code, here it is:
def as_json(options = {})
if options.empty?
self.default_json
else
json = self.default_json
json.merge!({ contact: { name: contact.name } }) if options[:include_contact].present?
json.merge!({ admin: self.is_admin? }) if options[:display_if_admin].present?
json.merge!({ name: self.name, forname: self.forname }) if options[:split_name].present?
# etc etc etc.
return json
end
end
def default_json
{ :id => self.id, :name => "#{self.name}, #{self.forname}" }
end
Usage:
format.json { render json: #patients.as_json(include_contact: true) }

Answer 2

By defining hash structure by 'as_json' method, in respective model class i.e User model in (Example 1), it becomes the default hash stucture for active record(i.e., user) in json format. It cannot be overridden by any inline definitions as defined in Example: 2
Example 1:
class User < ActiveRecord::Base
.....
def as_json(options={})
super(only: [:id, :name, :email])
end
end
Example: 2
class UserController < ApplicationController
....
def create
user = User.new(params[:user])
user.save
render json: user.as_json( only: [:id, :name] )
end
end
Therefore, in this example when create action is executed 'user' is returned in ("only: [:id, :name, :email]") format not as ("only: [:id, :name]")
So, options = {} are passed to as_json method to specifiy different format for different methods.
Best Practice, is to define hash structure as constant and call it everwhere it is needed
For Example
Ex: models/user.rb
Here, constant is defined in model class
class User < ActiveRecord::Base
...
...
DEFAULT_USER_FORMAT = { only: [:id, :name, :email] }
CUSTOM_USER_FORMAT = { only: [:id, :name] }
end
Ex: controllers/user.rb
class UserController < ApplicationController
...
def create
...
render json: user.as_json(User::DEFAULT_USER_FORMAT)
end
def edit
...
render json: user.as_json(User::CUSTOM_USER_FORMAT)
end
end
Cool!