simple active record caching

active_record_caching.rb

# for some reason active record doesn't include a simple way to serialize to
# cache.  this simple trick will take you far
#
# usage: 
# 
#   user = User.find(id)
#
#   key = user.to_cache
#
#   user = User.from_cache(key)
#
# note: AR provides a cache_key method
#       http://apidock.com/rails/ActiveRecord/Base/cache_key

class ActiveRecord::Base
  def self.from_cache(key)
    attributes = Rails.cache.read(key)      
    instantiate(attributes) if attributes
  end

  def to_cache    
    cache_key if Rails.cache.write(cache_key, attributes)
  end
end

Awesome thanks