gistfile1.rb

post '/' do
  check_params
  handle_extension if params[:type].eql?('extension')
  handle_section if params[:type].eql?('section')
end

def check_params
  unless ['extension', 'section'].include? params[:type]
    halt 400, 
     "Your request must specify a type of section or extension"
  end
end

def handle_extension
  extension = Extension.new(
               :type_id  => params[:typeId], 
               :requirement => params[:requirement])
  if extension.valid?
    extension.save
    status 201
  else
    if extension.errors.full_messages.include?(
      "Extension with that type id already exists")
      halt 409, "Extension with that type id already exists"
    else
      halt 400, extension.errors.full_messages.join(' ')
    end
  end
end