Accessing module in lib directory (Ruby on rails)

Question

I am attempting to access a function in a module that is located in the lib directory of my app. (lib/search.rb)

I am actually trying to get zip code searching working from: http://joshhuckabee.com/simple-zip-code-perimeter-search-rails

lib/search.rb

module Search
  def zip_code_perimeter_search(zip, radius)
   #code
  end
end

I am trying to call the zip_code_perimeter_search function from the rails console or from my controller, both times I get undefined method. Any ideas?

Answer 1

In your console/controller:

include Search
zip_code_perimeter_search(zip, radius)

In case it doesn't auto-load in Rails 3, in your config/application.rb file, you can do this:

# Custom directories with classes and modules you want to be autoloadable.
config.autoload_paths += Dir["#{config.root}/lib/**/"]

Answer 2

For calling a module method directly include it in a class and then call it on class instance.

Class call_module_method
    include Search
end

Now

call_module_method.new.zip_code_perimeter_search(zip, radius)

will evaluate the code inside method zip_code_perimeter_search(zip, radius)