Why can't I use the pluralize method in rails console?

Question

I have just come to know that I can't use the method 'pluralize' in the rails console or IRB. Is there anything I don't understand about this?

2.3.0 :001 > pluralize
NameError: undefined local variable or method `pluralize' for main:Object

It gets interpreted well when it's used in the ruby or view file. Why can't I use it in the rails console?

@mudasobwa: i thought (like you) that pluralize is a method on strings. But it isn't :) — Sergio Tulentsev, Mar 09 '17 at 17:42
@SergioTulentsev it is, in fact, [a method on strings](http://apidock.com/rails/String/pluralize). So `"poop".pluralize` yields "poops". — vich, Mar 09 '17 at 17:43
@mmichael: huh. First my memory failed me, then my googling. I'm gonna quit internet now. — Sergio Tulentsev, Mar 09 '17 at 17:44

R. Sierra · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-10T13:40:51.153

6

The pluralize method used in Rails views is defined in ActionView::Helpers::TextHelper. To use it in rails console you need to include it

$ rails console
2.3.3 :008 > include ActionView::Helpers::TextHelper
2.3.3 :009 > pluralize 2, 'man'
=> "2 men"

or call them through the helper variable

$ rails console
2.3.3 :0010 > helper.pluralize(2, 'man')
=> "2 men"

edited Mar 10 '17 at 13:40

answered Mar 09 '17 at 17:42

R. Sierra

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 09 '17 at 17:42

pluralize is defined on TextHelper, which means that it is available to your helps and views through ActionView.

You can however use it in rails console like this:

ActionController::Base.helpers.pluralize(...)

Or by including TextHelper:

include ActionView::Helpers::TextHelper

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 09 '17 at 17:41

It gets interpreted well when it's used in the ruby or view file. Why can't I use it in the rails console?

Because it was meant to be used from views, not from console (by being defined as an action view helper).

But not all hope is lost. You can access helper methods in console!

helper.pluralize(...)

3 Answers3