So far, we have implemented a single model - view - controller application using Ruby on Rails, and displayed the data in several forms. How do we add new data? We need to provide an "add product" form, and code to handle that form when it's submitted. Building on the example so far, here's how:
Adding in a form for "add product"

1. Add a link (to index.erb?) for add product:

  To add a product - go <a href=addproduct>[here]<

2. Add an "addproduct" method to the controller

  def addproduct
    @main_result = "This is where we add a product - initial form"
    @newprod = Product.new
    @info = ""
  end

3. Add the view for that form (app/views/productlister/addproduct.erb )

  <h1>All records report</h1>
  Here is a message: <b><%= @main_result %></b><br /><br />
  Here is the "add product" form to fill in:<br />
  <% form_for(@newprod, :url => "/productlister/saveproduct") do |fieldname| %>
    Name of product <%= fieldname.text_field :pname %><br />
    Price Each <%= fieldname.text_field :unitprice %><br />
    Initial Stock Held <%= fieldname.text_field :stocklevel %><br />
    <%= fieldname.submit "Done!" %><br />
  <% end %><br />

4. Add a saveproduct method to the controller

  def saveproduct
    @main_result = "Saving a new product"
    @newprod = Product.new(params[:product])
    if @newprod.save
      redirect_to :action => "index"
    else
      redirect_to :action => "addproduct" # error handling - next article
    end
  end

(no need to provide a template because it sends it back to the index)

5. Try it!

This is one of a series of summaries taking you from initial installation of Ruby and Rails through to a complete multitable application: [link] - Installing Ruby and Rails [link] - Hello World, Ruby on Rails Style [link] - What and Why - Model, View, Controller [link] - Multiple views, same model [link] - A form to allow data to be added to the model [link] - Validating data entries for storage in the model [link] - Cleanly viewing model data [link] - Complete sample, including a multiple table model These topics are covered on our Introduction to Rails day - an optional extension of Ruby Programming or Learning to program in Ruby

(written 2012-06-23)

 R202 - Ruby on Rails
  [1050] The HTML++ Metalanguage - (2007-01-22)
  [1302] Ruby, Ruby, Ruby. Rails, Rails, Rails. - (2007-08-13)
  [1375] Python v Ruby - (2007-10-02)
  [1745] Moodle, Drupal, Django (and Rails) - (2008-08-08)
  [2605] Ruby on Rails - a sample application to teach you how - (2010-01-30)
  [2607] Answers on Ruby on Rails - (2010-01-30)
  [2609] Scope of variables - important to Ruby on Rails - (2010-01-31)
  [3624] Why do we need a Model, View, Controller architecture? - (2012-02-25)
  [3756] Ruby on Rails - how it flows, and where the files go - (2012-06-08)
  [3772] Hello World - Ruby on Rails - a checklist of each step - (2012-06-22)
  [3777] Multiple views in a single appication - sharing common parts of the template - Ruby on Rails - (2012-06-23)
  [3779] Adding validation to form entries and sticky fields - Ruby on Rails - (2012-06-23)
  [3780] Ruby of Rails - cleanly displaying model data in the view - (2012-06-23)
  [3919] What is a web framework? - (2012-11-10)
  [4010] Really Simple Rails - (2013-02-17)
  [4013] Web Frameworks - nested templates - (2013-02-22)

Back to Multiple views in a single appication - sharing common parts of the template - Ruby on Rails

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Forward to Adding validation to form entries and sticky fields - Ruby on Rails

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