The background
---
Configuration for replacing a collection was introduced in
[rails/rails#36716][].
However, since [rails/rails#42596][] has been merged, Rails 7.1 and
beyond will default to _replacing_ an Active Storage `has_many_attached`
relationship, as opposed to _appending to it_.
The problem
---
With replacement as the established precedent, it's currently a
challenge to replace an existing collection with an empty one.
The solution
---
This commit makes two changes.
The first is to Action View and its form building helpers. The change
draws inspiration from how an `<input type="checkbox">` field (or
collection of fields) is paired with an `<input type="hidden">` field to
represent the unchecked value. The change pairs any `<input type="file"
multiple="multiple">` elements with an `<input type="hidden">` element
to represent an empty collection. Like the [check_box][] form builder
method, the `file_field` method accepts an `include_hidden:` option to
skip the creation of the hidden element.
The second is to how Active Storage generates attribute assignment
methods through `has_many_attached`. With the possibility of an `<input
type="file">` field being paired with an `<input type="hidden"
value="">` field, the backing models need to be able to coerce an
"empty-ish" value into an empty list. For example:
```ruby
@user.highlights = [""]
@user.highlights # => []
```
When combined, these changes enable consumer applications to submit
"empty" collections to blank out existing attachments.
Support is configured through the
`config.active_storage.multiple_file_field_include_hidden` configuration
value, which defaults to `false`.
[check_box]: https://edgeapi.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActionView/Helpers/FormBuilder.html#method-i-check_box
[rails/rails#36716]: https://github.com/rails/rails/pull/36716
[rails/rails#42596]: https://github.com/rails/rails/pull/42596
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