Create seed file from data already in the database

Question

I\'m using Rails 3.0.3 and have data for my \"categories\" table already in the database, but want to create a seed file from it. Is there any rake task that will generate t

Answer 1

Old question, I have a new one based on @Brian's answer.

If you want to keep the entire row as is:

seedfile = File.open('db/seeds.rb', 'a')

c = Category.all

c.each do |cat|
  seedfile.write "Category.create(#{cat.attributes})\n"
end

seedfile.close

If you want to only write some attributes, change the write line to the following:

seedfile.write "Category.create(#{cat.attributes.slice('attr1', 'attr2', ...})\n"

Or, if you wish all the attributes except some, for example timestamps:

seedfile.write "Category.create(#{cat.attributes.except('created_at', 'updated_at')})\n"