sort_helper.rb - SortHelper for Ruby on Rails

Author: Dave Burt dave@burt.id.au

Version: 17 Feb 2005

Makes column headings users can click to define how the table is sorted.

Example

View

 <tr>
   <th><%= link_to_sort_by 'First Name', 'name' %></th>
   <th><%= link_to_sort_by 'Surname', 'family.name' %></th>
   <th><%= link_to_sort_by 'Email', 'email' %></th>
 </tr>

Controller:

 helper :sort

 def list  # action
   SortHelper.columns = %w[
     name
     family.name
     email
   ]
   SortHelper.default_order = %w[family.name name]
   @people = Person.find_all.sort do |a, b|
     SortHelper.sort(a, b, @params)
   end
 end