How can I call controller/view helper methods from the console in Ruby on Rails?

Question

When I load script/console, sometimes I want to play with the output of a controller or a view helper method.

Are there ways to:

• simulate a request?
• call methods from a controller instance on said request?
• test helper methods, either via said controller instance or another way?

Answer 1

To call helpers, use the helper object:

$ ./script/console >> helper.number_to_currency('123.45') => "R$ 123,45" 

If you want to use a helper that's not included by default (say, because you removed helper :all from ApplicationController), just include the helper.

>> include BogusHelper >> helper.bogus => "bogus output" 

As for dealing with controllers, I quote Nick's answer:

> app.get '/posts/1' > response = app.response # you now have a rails response object much like the integration tests  > response.body            # get you the HTML > response.cookies         # hash of the cookies  # etc, etc 

Answer 2

An easy way to call a controller action from a script/console and view/manipulate the response object is:

> app.get '/posts/1' > response = app.response # You now have a Ruby on Rails response object much like the integration tests  > response.body            # Get you the HTML > response.cookies         # Hash of the cookies  # etc., etc. 

The app object is an instance of ActionController::Integration::Session

This works for me using Ruby on Rails 2.1 and 2.3, and I did not try earlier versions.