Return Array in a helper method

Question

Why can't I return an array in a helper method?

def childrenOf(a)
    @children = Post.find_by_parent_id(a.id)        
    return @children 
end

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

You can.

Use find_all_by_parent_id instead.

And you don't need the second line.

The following is enough.

def childrenOf(a)
  @children  = Post.find_all_by_parent_id(a.id)        
end

Answer 2

In Rails 3 instead of using find_all_by use where:

def childrenOf(a)
  @children  = Post.where(:parent_id => a.id)        
end