module ActionView::Helpers::DateHelper

all month choices are valid.
Note: If the day is not included as an option but the month is, the day will be set to the 1st to ensure that

The selects are prepared for multi-parameter assignment to an Active Record object.

date_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => { :day => 'Select day', :month => 'Select month', :year => 'Select year' })
# Generates a date select with custom prompts

date_select("credit_card", "bill_due", :default => { :day => 20 })
# that will have a default day of 20.
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the credit_card variable, in the bill_due attribute

date_select("post", "written_on", :default => 3.days.from_now)
# which is initially set to the date 3 days from the current date
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the user variable, in the birthday attribute

date_select("user", "birthday", :order => [:month, :day])
# lacking a year field.
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the user variable, in the birthday attribute

date_select("post", "written_on", :order => [:day, :month, :year])
# with the fields ordered as day, month, year rather than month, day, year.
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the post variable, in the written_on attribute

:discard_day => true, :include_blank => true)
date_select("post", "written_on", :start_year => 1995, :use_month_numbers => true,
# and without a day select box.
# with the year in the year drop down box starting at 1995, numbers used for months instead of words,
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the post variable, in the written_on attribute,

date_select("post", "written_on", :start_year => 1995)
# with the year in the year drop down box starting at 1995.
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the post variable, in the written_on attribute,

date_select("post", "written_on")
# Generates a date select that when POSTed is stored in the post variable, in the written_on attribute
==== Examples

NOTE: Discarded selects will default to 1. So if no month select is available, January will be assumed.

If anything is passed in the +html_options+ hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

or the given prompt string.
Setting this option prepends a select option with a generic prompt (Day, Month, Year, Hour, Minute, Seconds)
for :year, :month, :day, :hour, :minute and :second.
* :prompt - Set to true (for a generic prompt), a prompt string or a hash of prompt strings
* :disabled - Set to true if you want show the select fields as disabled.
* :default - Set a default date if the affected date isn't set or is nil.
dates.
* :include_blank - Include a blank option in every select field so it's possible to set empty
the respective locale (e.g. [:year, :month, :day] in the en locale that ships with Rails).
select will not be shown (like when you set :discard_xxx => true. Defaults to the order defined in
customize the order in which the select fields are shown. If you leave out any of the symbols, the respective
* :order - Set to an array containing :day, :month and :year to
as a hidden field instead of showing a select field.
* :discard_year - Set to true if you don't want to show a year select. This includes the year
as a hidden field instead of showing a select field. Also note that this implicitly sets :discard_day to true.
* :discard_month - Set to true if you don't want to show a month select. This includes the month
first of the given month in order to not create invalid dates like 31 February.
as a hidden field instead of showing a select field. Also note that this implicitly sets the day to be the
* :discard_day - Set to true if you don't want to show a day select. This includes the day
* :end_year - Set the end year for the year select. Default is Time.now.year + 5.
* :start_year - Set the start year for the year select. Default is Time.now.year - 5.
* :date_separator - Specifies a string to separate the date fields. Default is "" (i.e. nothing).
Note: You can also use Rails' i18n functionality for this.
* :use_month_names - Set to an array with 12 month names if you want to customize month names.
"2 - February" instead of "February").
* :add_month_numbers - Set to true if you want to use both month numbers and month names (e.g.
month names (e.g. "Feb" instead of "February").
* :use_short_month - Set to true if you want to use abbreviated month names instead of full
"2" instead of "February").
* :use_month_numbers - Set to true if you want to use month numbers rather than month names (e.g.
==== Options


attribute (identified by +method+) on an object assigned to the template (identified by +object+).
Returns a set of select tags (one for year, month, and day) pre-selected for accessing a specified date-based

def date_select(object_name, method, options = {}, html_options = {})
  InstanceTag.new(object_name, method, self, options.delete(:object)).to_date_select_tag(options, html_options)
end

The selects are prepared for multi-parameter assignment to an Active Record object.

datetime_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => true) # generic prompts for all
datetime_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => {:hour => true}) # generic prompt for hours
datetime_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => {:day => 'Choose day', :month => 'Choose month', :year => 'Choose year'})
# Generates a datetime select with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for generic prompts.

datetime_select("post", "written_on", :discard_type => true)
# as the written_on attribute.
# Generates a datetime select that discards the type that, when POSTed, will be stored in the post variable

datetime_select("trip", "departing", :default => 3.days.from_now)
# be stored in the trip variable in the departing attribute.
# Generates a datetime select with a default value of 3 days from the current time that, when POSTed, will

datetime_select("post", "written_on", :start_year => 1995)
# post variable in the written_on attribute.
# Generates a datetime select with a year select that starts at 1995 that, when POSTed, will be stored in the

datetime_select("post", "written_on")
# attribute
# Generates a datetime select that, when POSTed, will be stored in the post variable in the written_on
==== Examples

If anything is passed in the html_options hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

by +object+).
specified datetime-based attribute (identified by +method+) on an object assigned to the template (identified
Returns a set of select tags (one for year, month, day, hour, and minute) pre-selected for accessing a

def datetime_select(object_name, method, options = {}, html_options = {})
  InstanceTag.new(object_name, method, self, options.delete(:object)).to_datetime_select_tag(options, html_options)
end

distance_of_time_in_words(Time.now, Time.now) # => less than a minute
distance_of_time_in_words(to_time, from_time, true) # => about 6 years
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, to_time, true) # => about 6 years
to_time = Time.now + 6.years + 19.days

distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 4.years + 9.days + 30.minutes + 5.seconds) # => about 4 years
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 3.years + 6.months) # => over 3 years
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 1.year + 3.days) # => about 1 year
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, 76.seconds.from_now) # => 1 minute
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time - 45.seconds, true) # => less than a minute
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 45.seconds, true) # => less than a minute
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 60.hours) # => about 3 days
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, 3.years.from_now) # => about 3 years
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 15.seconds, true) # => less than 20 seconds
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 15.seconds) # => less than a minute
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, 50.minutes.from_now) # => about 1 hour
distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, from_time + 50.minutes) # => about 1 hour
from_time = Time.now
==== Examples

60-89 secs # => 1 minute
40-59 secs # => less than a minute
20-39 secs # => half a minute
10-19 secs # => less than 20 seconds
5-9 secs # => less than 10 seconds
0-4 secs # => less than 5 seconds
With include_seconds = true and the difference < 1 minute 29 seconds:

2 yrs <-> max time or date # => (same rules as 1 yr)
1 yr, 9 months <-> 2 yr minus 1 sec # => almost 2 years
1 yr, 3 months <-> 1 yr, 9 months # => over 1 year
1 yr <-> 1 yr, 3 months # => about 1 year
59 days, 23 hrs, 59 mins, 30 secs <-> 1 yr minus 1 sec # => [2..12] months
29 days, 23 hrs, 59 mins, 30 secs <-> 59 days, 23 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs # => about 1 month
47 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs <-> 29 days, 23 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs # => [2..29] days
23 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs <-> 47 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs # => 1 day
89 mins, 29 secs <-> 23 hrs, 59 mins, 29 secs # => about [2..24] hours
44 mins, 30 secs <-> 89 mins, 29 secs # => about 1 hour
1 min, 30 secs <-> 44 mins, 29 secs # => [2..44] minutes
30 secs <-> 1 min, 29 secs # => 1 minute
0 <-> 29 secs # => less than a minute

Distances are reported based on the following table:
Set include_seconds to true if you want more detailed approximations when distance < 1 min, 29 secs
Reports the approximate distance in time between two Time or Date objects or integers as seconds.

def distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, to_time = 0, include_seconds = false, options = {})
  from_time = from_time.to_time if from_time.respond_to?(:to_time)
  to_time = to_time.to_time if to_time.respond_to?(:to_time)
  distance_in_minutes = (((to_time - from_time).abs)/60).round
  distance_in_seconds = ((to_time - from_time).abs).round
  I18n.with_options :locale => options[:locale], :scope => :'datetime.distance_in_words' do |locale|
    case distance_in_minutes
      when 0..1
        return distance_in_minutes == 0 ?
               locale.t(:less_than_x_minutes, :count => 1) :
               locale.t(:x_minutes, :count => distance_in_minutes) unless include_seconds
        case distance_in_seconds
          when 0..4   then locale.t :less_than_x_seconds, :count => 5
          when 5..9   then locale.t :less_than_x_seconds, :count => 10
          when 10..19 then locale.t :less_than_x_seconds, :count => 20
          when 20..39 then locale.t :half_a_minute
          when 40..59 then locale.t :less_than_x_minutes, :count => 1
          else             locale.t :x_minutes,           :count => 1
        end
      when 2..44           then locale.t :x_minutes,      :count => distance_in_minutes
      when 45..89          then locale.t :about_x_hours,  :count => 1
      when 90..1439        then locale.t :about_x_hours,  :count => (distance_in_minutes.to_f / 60.0).round
      when 1440..2529      then locale.t :x_days,         :count => 1
      when 2530..43199     then locale.t :x_days,         :count => (distance_in_minutes.to_f / 1440.0).round
      when 43200..86399    then locale.t :about_x_months, :count => 1
      when 86400..525599   then locale.t :x_months,       :count => (distance_in_minutes.to_f / 43200.0).round
      else
        distance_in_years           = distance_in_minutes / 525600
        minute_offset_for_leap_year = (distance_in_years / 4) * 1440
        remainder                   = ((distance_in_minutes - minute_offset_for_leap_year) % 525600)
        if remainder < 131400
          locale.t(:about_x_years,  :count => distance_in_years)
        elsif remainder < 394200
          locale.t(:over_x_years,   :count => distance_in_years)
        else
          locale.t(:almost_x_years, :count => distance_in_years + 1)
        end
    end
  end
end

select_date(my_date, :prompt => true) # generic prompts for all
select_date(my_date, :prompt => {:hour => true}) # generic prompt for hours
select_date(my_date, :prompt => {:day => 'Choose day', :month => 'Choose month', :year => 'Choose year'})
# Generates a date select with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for generic prompts.

select_date(my_date, :prefix => 'payday')
# prefixed with 'payday' rather than 'date'
# Generates a date select that defaults to the datetime in my_date (six days after today)

select_date(my_date, :date_separator => '/')
# which has fields separated by '/'
# Generates a date select that defaults to the date in my_date,

select_date(my_date, :discard_type => true)
# my_date (six days after today)
# Generates a date select that discards the type of the field and defaults to the date in

select_date(my_date, :order => [:year, :month, :day])
# with the fields ordered year, month, day rather than month, day, year.
# Generates a date select that defaults to the date in my_date (six days after today)

select_date()
# Generates a date select that defaults to today (no specified date)

select_date(my_date)
# Generates a date select that defaults to the date in my_date (six days after today)

my_date = Time.today + 6.days
==== Examples

If anything is passed in the html_options hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

it will be appended onto the :order passed in.
symbols :year, :month and :day in the desired order. If you do not supply a Symbol,
It's possible to explicitly set the order of the tags using the :order option with an array of
Returns a set of html select-tags (one for year, month, and day) pre-selected with the +date+.

def select_date(date = Date.current, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(date, options, html_options).select_date
end

select_datetime(my_date_time, :prompt => true) # generic prompts for all
select_datetime(my_date_time, :prompt => {:hour => true}) # generic prompt for hours
select_datetime(my_date_time, :prompt => {:day => 'Choose day', :month => 'Choose month', :year => 'Choose year'})
# Generates a datetime select with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for generic prompts.

select_datetime(my_date_time, :prefix => 'payday')
# prefixed with 'payday' rather than 'date'
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to the datetime in my_date_time (four days after today)

select_datetime(my_date_time, :discard_type => true)
# my_date_time (four days after today)
# Generates a datetime select that discards the type of the field and defaults to the datetime in

select_datetime(my_date_time, :date_separator => '/', :time_separator => '', :datetime_separator => ',')
# separated by a comma (',').
# with a date fields separated by '/', time fields separated by '' and the date and time fields
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to the datetime in my_date_time (four days after today)

select_datetime(my_date_time, :date_separator => '/')
# with a '/' between each date field.
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to the datetime in my_date_time (four days after today)

select_datetime(my_date_time, :order => [:year, :month, :day])
# with the fields ordered year, month, day rather than month, day, year.
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to the datetime in my_date_time (four days after today)

select_datetime()
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to today (no specified datetime)

select_datetime(my_date_time)
# Generates a datetime select that defaults to the datetime in my_date_time (four days after today)

my_date_time = Time.now + 4.days
==== Examples

If anything is passed in the html_options hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

control visual display of the elements.
:date_separator, :datetime_separator and :time_separator keys to the +options+ to
supply a Symbol, it will be appended onto the :order passed in. You can also add
an array of symbols :year, :month and :day in the desired order. If you do not
+datetime+. It's also possible to explicitly set the order of the tags using the :order option with
Returns a set of html select-tags (one for year, month, day, hour, and minute) pre-selected with the

def select_datetime(datetime = Time.current, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(datetime, options, html_options).select_datetime
end

select_day(5, :prompt => 'Choose day')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for days with a custom prompt. Use :prompt => true for a

select_day(my_time, :field_name => 'due')
# that is named 'due' rather than 'day'
# Generates a select field for days that defaults to the day for the date in my_date

select_day(5)
# Generates a select field for days that defaults to the number given

select_day(my_time)
# Generates a select field for days that defaults to the day for the date in my_date

my_date = Time.today + 2.days
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'day' by default.
The date can also be substituted for a hour number.
Returns a select tag with options for each of the days 1 through 31 with the current day selected.

def select_day(date, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(date, options, html_options).select_day
end

select_hour(13, :prompt =>'Choose hour')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for hours with a custom prompt. Use :prompt => true for a

select_hour(my_time, :field_name => 'stride')
# that is named 'stride' rather than 'second'
# Generates a select field for hours that defaults to the minutes for the time in my_time

select_hour(13)
# Generates a select field for hours that defaults to the number given

select_hour(my_time)
# Generates a select field for hours that defaults to the hour for the time in my_time

my_time = Time.now + 6.hours
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'hour' by default.
The hour can also be substituted for a hour number.
Returns a select tag with options for each of the hours 0 through 23 with the current hour selected.

def select_hour(datetime, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(datetime, options, html_options).select_hour
end

select_minute(14, :prompt => 'Choose minutes')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for minutes with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for a

select_minute(my_time, :field_name => 'stride')
# that is named 'stride' rather than 'second'
# Generates a select field for minutes that defaults to the minutes for the time in my_time

select_minute(14)
# Generates a select field for minutes that defaults to the number given

select_minute(my_time)
# Generates a select field for minutes that defaults to the minutes for the time in my_time

my_time = Time.now + 6.hours
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'minute' by default.
selected. The minute can also be substituted for a minute number.
Also can return a select tag with options by minute_step from 0 through 59 with the 00 minute
Returns a select tag with options for each of the minutes 0 through 59 with the current minute selected.

def select_minute(datetime, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(datetime, options, html_options).select_minute
end

select_month(14, :prompt => 'Choose month')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for months with a custom prompt. Use :prompt => true for a

select_month(Date.today, :use_month_names => %w(Januar Februar Marts ...))
# will use keys like "Januar", "Marts."
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that

select_month(Date.today, :use_short_month => true)
# will use keys like "Jan", "Mar".
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that

select_month(Date.today, :add_month_numbers => true)
# will use keys like "1 - January", "3 - March".
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that

select_month(Date.today, :use_month_numbers => true)
# will use keys like "1", "3".
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that

select_month(Date.today, :field_name => 'start')
# is named "start" rather than "month"
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that

select_month(Date.today)
# will use keys like "January", "March".
# Generates a select field for months that defaults to the current month that
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'month' by default.
to use your own month names, set the :use_month_names key in +options+ to an array of 12 month names.
to show month names as abbreviations, set the :use_short_month key in +options+ to true. If you want
want both numbers and names, set the :add_month_numbers key in +options+ to true. If you would prefer
instead of names -- set the :use_month_numbers key in +options+ to true for this to happen. If you
used as values (what's submitted to the server). It's also possible to use month numbers for the presentation
selected. The month names are presented as keys (what's shown to the user) and the month numbers (1-12) are
Returns a select tag with options for each of the months January through December with the current month

def select_month(date, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(date, options, html_options).select_month
end

select_minute(14, :prompt => 'Choose seconds')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for seconds with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for a

select_second(my_time, :field_name => 'interval')
# that is named 'interval' rather than 'second'
# Generates a select field for seconds that defaults to the seconds for the time in my_time

select_second(33)
# Generates a select field for seconds that defaults to the number given

select_second(my_time)
# Generates a select field for seconds that defaults to the seconds for the time in my_time

my_time = Time.now + 16.minutes
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'second' by default.
The second can also be substituted for a second number.
Returns a select tag with options for each of the seconds 0 through 59 with the current second selected.

def select_second(datetime, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(datetime, options, html_options).select_second
end

select_time(my_time, :prompt => true) # generic prompts for all
select_time(my_time, :prompt => {:hour => true}) # generic prompt for hours
select_time(my_time, :prompt => {:day => 'Choose day', :month => 'Choose month', :year => 'Choose year'})
# Generates a time select with a custom prompt. Use :prompt=>true for generic prompts.

select_time(my_time, :time_separator => ':', :include_seconds => true)
# separated by ':' and includes an input for seconds
# Generates a time select that defaults to the time in my_time, that has fields

select_time(my_time, :include_seconds => true)
# that also includes an input for seconds
# Generates a time select that defaults to the time in my_time,

select_time(my_time, :time_separator => ':')
# which has fields separated by ':'
# Generates a time select that defaults to the time in my_time,

select_time()
# Generates a time select that defaults to the current time (no specified time)

select_time(my_time)
# Generates a time select that defaults to the time in my_time

my_time = Time.now + 5.days + 7.hours + 3.minutes + 14.seconds
==== Examples

If anything is passed in the html_options hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

the :include_seconds option to include an input for seconds.
You can set :time_separator key to format the output, and
Returns a set of html select-tags (one for hour and minute)

def select_time(datetime = Time.current, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(datetime, options, html_options).select_time
end

select_year(14, :prompt => 'Choose year')
# generic prompt.
# Generates a select field for years with a custom prompt. Use :prompt => true for a

select_year(2006, :start_year => 2000, :end_year => 2010)
# has ascending year values
# Generates a select field for years that defaults to the year 2006 that

select_year(Date.today, :start_year => 2005, :end_year => 1900)
# has descending year values
# Generates a select field for years that defaults to the current year that

select_year(Date.today, :field_name => 'birth')
# is named 'birth' rather than 'year'
# Generates a select field for years that defaults to the current year that

select_year(Date.today, :start_year => 1992, :end_year => 2007)
# has ascending year values
# Generates a select field for years that defaults to the current year that
==== Examples

Override the field name using the :field_name option, 'year' by default.
greater than :end_year. The date can also be substituted for a year given as a number.
+options+. Both ascending and descending year lists are supported by making :start_year less than or
The five year radius can be changed using the :start_year and :end_year keys in the
Returns a select tag with options for each of the five years on each side of the current, which is selected.

def select_year(date, options = {}, html_options = {})
  DateTimeSelector.new(date, options, html_options).select_year
end

from_time = Time.now - 3.days - 14.minutes - 25.seconds # => 3 days

time_ago_in_words(Time.now) # => less than a minute
time_ago_in_words(Time.now - 15.hours) # => 15 hours
time_ago_in_words(3.minutes.from_now) # => 3 minutes
==== Examples

Like distance_of_time_in_words, but where to_time is fixed to Time.now.

def time_ago_in_words(from_time, include_seconds = false)
  distance_of_time_in_words(from_time, Time.now, include_seconds)
end

all month choices are valid.
Note: If the day is not included as an option but the month is, the day will be set to the 1st to ensure that

The selects are prepared for multi-parameter assignment to an Active Record object.

time_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => true) # generic prompts for all
time_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => {:hour => true}) # generic prompt for hours
time_select("post", "written_on", :prompt => {:hour => 'Choose hour', :minute => 'Choose minute', :second => 'Choose seconds'})
# Creates a time select tag with a custom prompt. Use :prompt => true for generic prompts.

time_select 'game', 'game_time', {:minute_step => 15}
# You can set the :minute_step to 15 which will give you: 00, 15, 30 and 45.

time_select("entry", "submission_time", :include_seconds => true)
# the submission_time attribute.
# Creates a time select tag with a seconds field that, when POSTed, will be stored in the entry variables in

time_select("post", "start_time", :include_seconds => true)
# the sunrise attribute.
# Creates a time select tag with a seconds field that, when POSTed, will be stored in the post variables in

time_select("mail", "sent_at")
# Creates a time select tag that, when POSTed, will be stored in the mail variable in the sent_at attribute

time_select("order", "submitted")
# attribute
# Creates a time select tag that, when POSTed, will be stored in the order variable in the submitted

time_select("post", "sunrise")
# Creates a time select tag that, when POSTed, will be stored in the post variable in the sunrise attribute
==== Examples

If anything is passed in the html_options hash it will be applied to every select tag in the set.

:ignore_date is set to +true+.
This method will also generate 3 input hidden tags, for the actual year, month and day unless the option

+object+). You can include the seconds with :include_seconds.
specified time-based attribute (identified by +method+) on an object assigned to the template (identified by
Returns a set of select tags (one for hour, minute and optionally second) pre-selected for accessing a

def time_select(object_name, method, options = {}, html_options = {})
  InstanceTag.new(object_name, method, self, options.delete(:object)).to_time_select_tag(options, html_options)
end