Implement status states in code using an integer column in the DB.

stuffed_table_columns.rb

# Implement status states in code using an integer column in the DB
# Written by Jamil Bou Kheir, 2012
# 
# Include this module at the top of your model and use the stuffed_table_columns
# method to assign the mappings. Requires a matching integer column present.
# Ex:
#
# class StirFry < ActiveRecord::Base
#   include StuffedTableColumns
#   stuffed_column :status, 'cold', 'hot', 'pickled', 'spicy', 'no_msg', 'noodling'
# end

# TODO: use method_missing to support other column names besides "status"
module StuffedTableColumns
  def self.included(base)
    base.extend ClassMethods
  end

  def status
    if read_attribute(self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_name)).blank?
      read_attribute(self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_name))
    else
      self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_options)[read_attribute(self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_name))]
    end
  end

  def status=(status)
    if self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_options).include? status
      write_attribute(self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_name), self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_options).index(status.downcase))
    elsif status.blank?
      write_attribute(self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_name), status)
    else
      raise "Error writing status attribute: Not one of #{self.class.instance_variable_get(:@column_options).join(', ')}"
    end
  end

  module ClassMethods
    def stuffed_column(column, *options)
      @column_options = options
      @column_name = column
    end
  end
end