How to Implement Pseudonymization and Search Functionality in Ruby on Rails?

Learn how to effectively add `pseudonymization` and a search function to your Ruby on Rails application, enhancing user data security and ease of access.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/66141283/ asked by the user 'Cookieholik' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14822522/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/66141965/ provided by the user 'Int'l Man Of Coding Mystery' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7619578/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How to add a pseudonymization and a search function?

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Implement Pseudonymization and Search Functionality in Ruby on Rails?

As a developer, you may find yourself faced with challenges when trying to secure sensitive user data while still providing easy access to valuable information. One such challenge is the need for pseudonymization, which allows for unique identification of cases without exposing sensitive information. Additionally, building a search function enhances user experience by allowing users to look up specific cases based on the pseudonymized strings. In this guide, we will break down how to implement both features in Ruby on Rails, specifically using version 6.0.3.4 and Ruby 2.7.0.

Understanding the Problem

In the given scenario, you have two tables: cases and users. Each case has a first_name and a last_name, and you want to develop a unique pseudonymization string derived from these names. The pseudonym string should be constructed as follows:

Third letter of the first name

Total number of letters in the first name

Third letter of the last name

Total number of letters in the last name

For example, for "Bill Smith", the pseudonym would be L4I5.

Once the pseudonym is created, it should be searchable through a user interface that allows users to type the string and retrieve the associated case.

Implementing Pseudonymization

Step 1: Modify the Database Schema

First, you need to add a new column to the cases table to store the pseudonymized strings. You can achieve this by creating a migration.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Set up the Model Callback

Next, you need to implement the logic that generates the pseudonym string into the Case model. You will accomplish this using a before_create callback that triggers before a case is saved to the database.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Note: Ensure that the first_name and last_name have a minimum length of 3 to access the third letter safely to avoid errors.

Implementing the Search Functionality

Step 3: Create a Search Scope

To facilitate searching for cases using the generated pseudonym, define a scope in your Case model.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Implement the Controller Logic

In your controller, you can use the scope to find and display the case that matches the user's input.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Example usage: To find a case, users would use Case.by_pseudonym("C5").

Final Thoughts

By implementing pseudonymization and a search function in your Ruby on Rails application, you enhance both the security of user data and the accessibility of case information. As you integrate this into your app, keep in mind the importance of validating user input and handling edge cases to ensure a robust implementation.

Now, you're well-equipped to tackle data protection along with user-centric features in your Ruby on Rails application! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Видео How to Implement Pseudonymization and Search Functionality in Ruby on Rails? канала vlogize