Serializing deeply nested associations with active_model_serializers

Question

I\'m using Rails 4.2.1 and active_model_serializers 0.10.0.rc2

I\'m new to API\'s and chose active_model_serializers because i

Answer 1

So this my not be the best or even a good answer, but this is working how I need it to.

While including nested and side-loaded attributes appears to be supported when using the json_api adapter with AMS, I needed support for flat json. In addition, this method worked well because each serializer is specifically generating exactly what I need it to independent of any other serializer and without having to do anything in the controller.

Comments / alternate methods are always welcome.

Project Model

class Project < ActiveRecord::Base      
  has_many  :estimates, autosave: true, dependent: :destroy
end

ProjectsController

def index
  @projects = Project.all
  render json: @projects
end

ProjectSerializer

class ProjectSerializer < ActiveModel::Serializer
  attributes  :id, 
              :name,
              :updated_at,

              # has_many
              :estimates



  def estimates
    customized_estimates = []

    object.estimates.each do |estimate|
      # Assign object attributes (returns a hash)
      # ===========================================================
      custom_estimate = estimate.attributes


      # Custom nested and side-loaded attributes
      # ===========================================================
      # belongs_to
      custom_estimate[:project] = estimate.project.slice(:id, :name) # get only :id and :name for the project
      custom_estimate[:project_code] = estimate.project_code
      custom_estimate[:tax_type] = estimate.tax_type

      # has_many w/only specified attributes
      custom_estimate[:proposals] = estimate.proposals.collect{|proposal| proposal.slice(:id, :name, :updated_at)}

      # ===========================================================
      customized_estimates.push(custom_estimate)
    end

    return customized_estimates
  end
end

Result

[
  {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "123 Park Ave.",
    "updated_at": "2015-08-09T02:36:23.950Z",
    "estimates": [
      {
        "id": 1,
        "name": "E1",
        "release_version": "v1.0",
        "exchange_rate": "0.0",
        "created_at": "2015-08-12T04:23:38.183Z",
        "updated_at": "2015-08-12T04:23:38.183Z",
        "project": {
          "id": 1,
          "name": "123 Park Ave."
        },
        "project_code": {
          "id": 8,
          "valuation": 30,
          "created_at": "2015-08-09T18:02:42.079Z",
          "updated_at": "2015-08-09T18:02:42.079Z"
        },
        "tax_type": {
          "id": 1,
          "name": "No Tax",
          "created_at": "2015-08-09T18:02:42.079Z",
          "updated_at": "2015-08-09T18:02:42.079Z"
        },
        "proposals": [
          {
            "id": 1,
            "name": "P1",
            "updated_at": "2015-08-12T04:23:38.183Z"
          },
          {
            "id": 2,
            "name": "P2",
            "updated_at": "2015-10-12T04:23:38.183Z"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
]

I basically disregarded trying to implement any has_many or belongs_to associations in the serializers and just customized the behavior. I used slice to select specific attributes. Hopefully a more elegant solution will be forth coming.