random_date ruby/rails

random_date.rb

# USAGE:
# random_date() # => random date within 20 days past
# random_date(30) # => random date within 30 days past
# random_date(:unity => :second) => random date within 20 seconds past
# random_date(:future => true) => random date within 20 days future and past
# random_date(:past => false) => random date within 20 days future
# random_date(4.years, :unity => :second, :past => false) => random date withim 4 years future. Random year til second
# random_date(4, :unity => :years, :past => false) => random date withim 4 years future. Actual date with random year only
def random_date(*arguments)
  options = {
    :future => false,
    :past => true,
    :unity => :day
  }
  options.merge!(arguments.last) if (arguments.last.kind_of? Hash)

  range = arguments.first if arguments.first.kind_of? Fixnum
  range ||= 20

  Time.now
  rand(range).days

  operator =
  if options[:future] && options[:past]
    rand(2) == 1 ? :+ : :-
  elsif options[:future]
    :+
  else
    :-
  end

  Time.now.send(operator, rand(range).send(options[:unity]))
end