How can I use a namespace in a Rake task dependency?

Question

When defining rake tasks, it is possible to use namespaces, like this:

namespace :demolition do   task :fire_bazooka do     puts "kaboom!"   end end 

This could be called like rake demolition:fire_bazooka.

It is also possible to specify prerequisites for a task, like this:

# Single prerequisite task :fire_bazooka => :load_bazooka do ....  # Multiple prerequisites task :fire_bazooka => [:safety_check, :load_bazooka] 

But how can I use a namespaced task as a prerequisite? This, obviously, does not work:

task :photograph_destruction => :demolition:fire_bazooka 

Answer 1

You already found the solution (name as a string).

You may extend this answer. There is no need to define namespaces and tasks with symbols. You can use Strings.

Doing this, you have the advantage of same type for definition and usage of task names.

Your example looks like this:

namespace 'demolition' do   task 'fire_bazooka' do     puts "kaboom!"   end end  task 'photograph_destruction' => "demolition:fire_bazooka" do   puts "snapping pics! yay!" end