From: James Edward Gray II <james@...>
Date: 2006-03-18T08:03:23+09:00
Subject: Re: ActiveRecord dynamic finder methods

On Mar 17, 2006, at 4:41 PM, Mark Volkmann wrote:

> I've received conflicting answers to this question and I'd like to
> confirm the correct answer.
>
> When an ActiveRecord dynamic finder method is invoked, does it create
> a new method and save it so the method actually exists the next time
> it is called OR does it just evaluate the query based on the method
> name every time.
>
> I don't have an opinion on which way is better, I just want to know
> how it currently works.

You can always ask Ruby:

 >> Member.respond_to? :find_by_first_name
=> false
 >> Member.find_by_first_name("James")
=> #<Member:0x2223208 ...>
 >> Member.respond_to? :find_by_first_name
=> false

James Edward Gray II