How can you skip an “after_initialize” method if updating a record?

Question

I have an after_initialize method that I only want to call if I'm not updating a record. For example, something like the following:

after_initialize :set_some_name, :unless => :updating?

For example, Task.find(123).title should call the after_initialize method. Task.find(123).save!(:title => "something") should not call the after_initialize method.

Of course the "updating?" method doesn't exist in Rails. Is there an equivalent method or a way to do so?

Answer 1

I think you are looking for this method :

http://apidock.com/rails/ActiveRecord/Base/new_record%3F

In your after_initialize function, you can then check if the record has already been saved before doing your treatment.

Maybe

after_initialize :set_some_name, if: :new_record?

Answer 2

I solved it like so :)

after_initialize :set_alternative_title, :unless => :name_is_alternative_title?

def set_alternative_title
  self.title = "Alternative title"
end

def name_is_alternative_title?
  self.title == "Alternative title"
end