gistfile1.rb

...

before_filter :set_views_paths_for_layout


# Add new paths to templates paths.
def set_views_paths_for_layout
  paths = []
...
  paths << create_a_new_path("#{RAILS_ROOT}/app/views/shared") 
...      
  paths.each do |_path|
    prepend_view_path _path if not view_paths.include?(_path)
  end
end

# This method returns a ActionView::PathSet::Path object.
# Use-it instead of create a new instance every request couse if you do, will couse
# a lot of use of your File System (stat, stat64). Issue fount using Dtrace tool: dtruss.
# The SOLUTION is memoize this method and store all the results. 
#
# ====References:
# http://apidock.com/rails/ActionView/Base/process_view_paths/class
# http://apidock.com/rails/ActionView/Base/new/class
# http://apidock.com/rails/ActionView/PathSet/type_cast/class
# 
# ====Example:
# create_a_new_path("#{RAILS_ROOT}/app/views/otherpath") 
def create_a_new_path(path)
  @@paths_already_set ||= {}
  return @@paths_already_set[path] if @@paths_already_set.has_key?(path)
  @@paths_already_set[path]  = ActionView::PathSet::Path.new(path)
  return @@paths_already_set[path] 
end

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