Get ActiveRecord object from object_or_id argument

active_record_object_or_id.rb

class StoreProductCollaborator
  def initialize(product_or_id, store_or_id)
    # I use this pattern everywhere. I would like to abstract it, but
    # can't think of a good name for the abstraction.
    @product = Product.find(product_or_id) unless product_or_id.is_a? Product
    @store = Store.find(store_or_id) unless store_or_id.is_a? Store
  end

  # Intended usage examples:
  # sp1 = StoreProductCollaborator.new(42, 13)
  # sp2 = StoreProductCollaborator.new(@product, @store)
  # sp3 = StoreProductCollaborator.new(42, @store)
  # sp4 = StoreProductCollaborator.new(@product, 13)

  # ...I can even see the shape in my mind of this code, and its
  # value as an abstraction: if we called it foo_snark(klass) and put
  # it on Integer AND on ActiveRecord::Base, then Integer could find
  # the object, and ActiveRecord::Base could check to make sure that
  # the AR object given matches the expected class.
  #
  # But seriously, what to call it? instantiate? to_model?
  # to_model_instance?

end

@geeksam, that's a great idea.

jtanner: Ah, yes, I remember that. That's essentially shorthand for .find(), though, isn't it? Or would Product[Product.new] still return the new product object?

geeksam: Excellent! I like Store.for but in our fixation on (integer or store).for(Store), we hit on "to_model" as well. Great minds think alike (or perhaps fools seldom differ?)

Thanks, both!

@dbrady: Surely the former. I am constantly astonished at the variety of foolishness available. ;>

jtanner: nevermind, you said the thing I asked apparently I can't read.