How do you update attributes in an instance method in a rails model without using different variable names?

Question

I would like to update attributes in an instance method in rails without being forced to change the parameters being passed in so that I can advantage of rails automatic attributes. Here is an example.

Ideal:

status = "some_new_status"
person.update(status)

class Person < ActiveRecord::Base
  def update(status)
    self.status = status
  end
end

What I have to do now:

class Person < ActiveRecord::Base
  def update(new_status)
    self.status = new_status
    self.save
  end
end

I understand in this example it doesn't much matter. But when I have complicated update methods, it would be a lot cleaner if I could eliminate some of that code.

Answer 1

You should use builtin Rails methods:

@person.update_attribute(:status, "Some Value") #no callback triggered nor validation

@person.update_attributes(:status => "Some Value") #can pass multiple values

Or to keep your short syntax

def update(status)
  update_attribute(:status, status)
end

Update_attribute doc.

Update_attributes doc.