Rendering Raw HTML: Converting HTML Tags into Strings in Ruby on Rails

Discover how to render HTML tags as strings in Ruby on Rails API responses and prevent unwanted conversion to unicode.
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Rendering Raw HTML: Converting HTML Tags into Strings in Ruby on Rails

In web development, particularly when working with APIs, developers often encounter scenarios where user input needs to be rendered accurately. A common challenge arises when input containing HTML tags or special characters is processed. Instead of displaying the HTML tags as intended, they may be converted into unicode characters in the JSON output. This guide addresses how to properly render HTML tags as strings in a Ruby on Rails API, ensuring that users receive the expected output.

The Problem

You might be developing a Rails API that takes user input and renders it back as JSON. When working with plaintext inputs, everything seems to function smoothly. However, once you introduce HTML tags or special characters into the input, you face an issue where these tags are converted to unicode characters instead of being displayed correctly.

Example Scenario:

Input: <p>name</p>

Unexpected Output: "\u003cp\u003ename\u003c/p\u003e"

Expected Output: <p>name</p>

This transformation occurs because the Rails API handles the input as a JSON string, which leads to the encoding of certain characters. Discovering how to maintain the original formatting is crucial for the data to appear as intended.

The Solution

Understanding JSON Encoding

When you convert a string containing HTML tags to JSON, Ruby automatically escapes the special characters to ensure safe transport over HTTP. Here’s how it works:

Input Processing: The input string is processed and treated as JSON. Characters like < and > are escaped.

Expected JSON Output: The output string will look something like:

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

Using JSON.parse to Decode

To convert the unicode output back to the original HTML format, you can use the JSON.parse method provided by Ruby. This method will take the unicode string and revert it back to proper HTML tags.

Implementation Steps

To handle the conversion seamlessly, follow these steps in your Rails API code:

Capture input and process it as needed.

Use JSON.parse to decode the string back to its original representation.

Here is how you can implement this within your code:

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

Example Code

Given the following example of how you might receive and process your data:

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

Conclusion

Correctly rendering HTML tags in a Ruby on Rails API response requires understanding how JSON handles special characters. By utilizing JSON.parse after converting your strings to JSON, you can achieve the desired output of displaying HTML tags as strings without unwanted unicode conversion. This method ensures that your users receive the correct formatting, enhancing the overall functionality of your API.

In summary, by effectively handling HTML tags and special characters using the tools provided by Ruby, developers can significantly improve the user experience and maintain the integrity of the data being presented.