raw vs. html_safe vs. h to unescape html

Understanding raw vs. html_safe vs. h: Unescaping HTML in Rails

So, you're faced with a dilemma. You have a string that contains HTML entities, but you only want to render specific HTML tags within that string. How do you do it? The answer lies in understanding the key differences between the <%= raw @x %>, <%= h @x %>, and <%= @x.html_safe %> methods in Rails.

The Problem

Let's say you have the following string stored in @x:

@x = "<a href='#'>Turn me into a link</a>"

And you want to display it as a link on your web page. However, if you simply output @x using <%= @x %>, the HTML tags will be escaped, resulting in the tags being displayed as text rather than rendering them as links.

Solution 1: Using <%= raw @x %>

The <%= raw @x %> method is your go-to when you want to output HTML code stored in a string without escaping the HTML entities. It tells Rails not to escape any HTML tags within the string and simply renders them as is.

Here's how you would use it in your view:

<%= raw @x %>

By using <%= raw @x %>, your @x string will be rendered as an actual link.

Solution 2: Using <%= h @x %>

The <%= h @x %> method serves as a shorthand for the html_escape method in Rails. It escapes any HTML entities within the string, ensuring that the text is displayed as is without causing any potential security vulnerabilities.

In the case of your @x string, if you were to use <%= h @x %>, the HTML will be displayed as text, and the link won't be rendered.

Solution 3: Using <%= @x.html_safe %>

The <%= @x.html_safe %> method is slightly different from the previous two. It tags the @x string as "html_safe," which means Rails treats the string as already HTML safe and won't attempt to escape it. This method is particularly useful when you trust the content of @x and want to render it as raw HTML.

Keep in mind that if @x contains user-generated content or any untrusted data, using <%= @x.html_safe %> can expose potential security risks.

Which method should you use?

The method you should choose depends on your specific use case.

• If you want to render the HTML tags within the string, go with <%= raw @x %>.

• If you want to ensure that any potential HTML entities are safely displayed as text, use <%= h @x %>.

• If you trust the content of @x and want to render it as raw HTML, opt for <%= @x.html_safe %>.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the differences between <%= raw @x %>, <%= h @x %>, and <%= @x.html_safe %>, you can confidently choose the method that best suits your needs to unescape HTML tags in Rails.

So, now it's your turn! Do you prefer using <%= raw %>, <%= h %>, or <%= .html_safe %>? Let me know in the comments below and share your thoughts on this topic. 💬