validates_associated

Validates whether the associated object or objects are all valid. Works with any kind of association.

class Book < ActiveRecord::Base
  has_many :pages
  belongs_to :library

  validates_associated :pages, :library
end

WARNING: This validation must not be used on both ends of an association. Doing so will lead to a circular dependency and cause infinite recursion.

NOTE: This validation will not fail if the association hasn't been assigned. If you want to ensure that the association is both present and guaranteed to be valid, you also need to use validates_presence_of.

Configuration options:

• :message - A custom error message (default is: âis invalidâ).

• :on - Specifies when this validation is active. Runs in all validation contexts by default (nil), other options are :create and :update.

• :if - Specifies a method, proc or string to call to determine if the validation should occur (e.g. if: :allow_validation, or if: Proc.new { |user| user.signup_step > 2 }). The method, proc or string should return or evaluate to a true or false value.

• :unless - Specifies a method, proc or string to call to determine if the validation should not occur (e.g. unless: :skip_validation, or unless: Proc.new { |user| user.signup_step <= 2 }). The method, proc or string should return or evaluate to a true or false value.