In this chapter, we're going to see how to extend the Intranet application, using mock (but hopefully realistic) feedback from users as a basis for the extensions. The feedback covers both desired enhancements to existing features, and new feature requests. Doing this will demonstrate more breadth of the features provided by the Rails, and how to logically add new components to an application.

The feedback received from the users included:

• Adding people search facilities
• Handling errors properly
• Using sessions and cookies for user authentication
• Doing simple task tracking
• Adding file uploads

We're also going to look at integrating the work of other programmers into a project. The primary means for doing this is through plugins, so we'll see how to discover and install them for your own applications.

Chapter 8: Extending the Application Dealing with User Feedback Adding a Search Facility Handling Errors Catching Missing Record Errors Catching UnknownAction and Routing Errors Catching General Application-Level Errors Catching "Rails has Fallen Over" Errors Adding an Authentication System Cookies and Sessions in Rails Building the Authentication System The User Model Displaying the Login Form Checking Submitted Credentials Logging Out Protecting Actions Adding Simple Task Tracking The Task Model The Tasks Controller Task Views Showing Tasks for a Person Redirecting to a Person after Adding or Editing a Task Redirecting after a Deletion Handling the Cancel Link Setting a Default Person for a New Task Summary Uploading and Attaching Files Using Plugins Using acts_as_attachment for File Uploads Managing File Attachments for a Task Adding a Form for Attaching a File to a Task Adding a File Attachment to a Task Listing File Attachments for a Task Deleting File Attachments for a Task Protecting File Attachment Actions Summary

Paperback 528 pages Released: October 2007 ISBN: 1847190855 ISBN 13: 978-1-847190-85-7

View the book details on PacktPub.com