difference between text_field and text_area in form_for
ruby-on-rails
Solution
`a.text_field :name` is parse to the following html
`<input type="text" name="name">`
`a.text_area :name` would parse to something like:
<textarea rows="4" cols="50">
</textarea>
depending on the options passed.
The simplest way of looking at it is `text_field` gives you a place for a single line of text, where text_area gives an area for multiple lines.
you can pass a hash of options to the `text_area` helper to specify the number of rows and columns.
In the example you give above, it would be poor practice to use either `text_field` or `text_area` for passwords, you'd be better to use `a.password_field`
Problem
So I have seen examples of text_field and text_area being used in forms like this: ``` <%= form_for :account do |a| %> Name: <%= a.text_field :name %><br /> Password: <%= a.text_area :password %><br /> Password Confirmation: <%= a.text_field :password_confirmation %><br /> <%= a.submit %> <% end %> ``` I don't understand the difference, though. Is it necessary for a beginner Rails developer to understand the difference? I found some explanations in the API which I don't understand - perhaps somebody can take a look and let me know what is going on. For "text_area": ``` text_area(object_name, method, options = {}) Returns a textarea opening and closing tag set tailored for accessing a specified attribute (identified by method) on an object assigned to the template (identified by object). Additional options on the input tag can be passed as a hash with options. ``` Then, for "text_field": ``` text_field(object_name, method, options = {}) Link Returns an input tag of the “text” type tailored for accessing a specified attribute (identified by method) on an object assigned to the template (identified by object). Additional options on the input tag can be passed as a hash with options. These options will be tagged onto the HTML as an HTML element attribute as in the example shown. ```