In an earlier blog post, I listed an example of using the find_by_sql function to return a collection of Artist objects. I have since changed my search method to use the find_all function, instead.

artist.rb (old code)
def self.find_by_first_letter(letter = "A")
   find_by_sql ["select a.* from artists a where ucase(left(artist_name, 1)) = ?", letter]
end

artist.rb (new code)
def self.find_by_first_letter(letter = "A")
   find_all ["ucase(left(artist_name, 1)) = ?", letter]
end

I think using the find_all function instead of the find_by_sql function follows the “Ruby on Rails way” more closely. Plus, it’s shorter and, perhaps, easier to understand for people who aren’t familiar with SQL.

Related posts:

1. Ruby on Rails find_by_sql Example
2. Amazon Web Services on Rails
3. Related Drop-down Lists with Ruby on Rails and AJAX
4. Implementing Search in Ruby on Rails
5. Models with Associations