Workaround for Persisting an empty string in an integer field with a default value converts to nil #32467

replace_nils_with_column_defaults.rb

# see: https://github.com/rails/rails/issues/32467
# written with help from: https://github.com/noise-machines
# sponsored by: https://www.hiresuccess.com/

require "active_support/concern"

module ReplaceNilsWithColumnDefaults
  extend ActiveSupport::Concern

  included do
    before_save :replace_nils_with_column_defaults
  end

  module ClassMethods
    attr_reader :columns_to_replace

    private

    def only_replace_nils_for(*columns_to_replace)
      @columns_to_replace = columns_to_replace.map(&:to_s)
    end
  end

  def replace_nils_with_column_defaults
    columns_to_replace = self.class.columns_to_replace || attributes.keys
    attributes.slice(*columns_to_replace).each do |column, value|
      default = self.class.column_defaults[column]
      self[column] = default if value.nil?
    end
  end
end

Sample usage:

class Test < ApplicationRecord
  include ReplaceNilsWithColumnDefaults
  only_replace_nils_for :time_limit
end