Replacing the 'auto_link' method in Ruby on Rails 3.1

Question

I am using Ruby on Rails 3.0.7 and I know that in the 3.1 version there won't be the auto_link method anymore (see the actionpack/lib/action_view/helpers/text_helper.rb for RoR 3.1).

Is there another way to have similar functions as the old auto_link method? That is, how can I replace that useful method in Ruby on Rails 3.1?

BTW: why will the auto_link method will be removed?

Answer 1

Rinku is a drop-in replacement for Rails 3.1 auto_link.

Auto-linking functionality has been removed from Rails 3.1, and is instead offered as a standalone gem, rails_autolink. You can choose to use Rinku instead.

require 'rails_rinku' 

The rails_rinku package monkeypatches Rails with an auto_link method that mimics 100% the original one, parameter per parameter. It's just faster.