How to use the “number_to_currency” helper method in the model rather than view?

Question

I would like to use to_dollar method in my model like this:

module JobsHelper      
  def to_dollar(amount)
    if amount < 0
      number_to_cur         


        

Answer 1

@fguillen's way is good, though here's a slightly cleaner approach, particular given that the question makes two references to to_dollar. I'll first demonstrate using Ryan Bates' code (http://railscasts.com/episodes/132-helpers-outside-views).

def description
  "This category has #{helpers.pluralize(products.count, 'product')}."
end

def helpers
  ActionController::Base.helpers
end

Notice the call helpers.pluralize. This is possible due to the method definition (def helpers), which simply returns ActionController::Base.helpers. Therefore helpers.pluralize is short for ActionController::Base.helpers.pluralize. Now you can use helpers.pluralize multiple times, without repeating the long module paths.

So I suppose the answer to this particular question could be:

class Job < ActiveRecord::Base
  include JobsHelper
  def details
    return "Only " + helpers.to_dollar(part_amount_received) + 
           " out of " + helpers.to_dollar(price) + " received."
  end

  def helpers
    ActionView::Helpers::NumberHelper
  end
end