Generate ics files directly

[jaredlt]

Currently, we generate a data-uri for iCal which can be used to download an .ics file.

But if we want to attach an .ics file to emails, we need to generate it directly (otherwise the url encoding for the data-uri borks the calendar display when imported into a calendar.

[jaredlt]

I don't currently need this feature, but if someone does let me know as I'd be willing to implement it.

[jaredlt]

CGI.unescape(cal.ical_url) and then handle last edge cases

[hegwin]

Hi! I also need this feature.
Currently, the following works when users are viewing HTML in browers:

<a download="calendar-event.ics" href="<%= @cal.ical_url %>">Download iCal</a>

But when I send this HTML partial in an email as a event reminder, it won't work because the download link is escaped/removed by the email provide such as Google.

As an alternative, I'd like to send the ICS file directly for the link Add to iCal in the email, so it won't be blocked.

[jared-thoughtbot]

@hegwin sorry for the mega delay. Life and all that 🙃

I took a quick look at this and you can generate an ICS file like so:

cal = AddToCalendar::URLs.new(start_datetime: Time.new(2020,12,12,13,30,00,0), title: "Christmas party!", timezone: 'Europe/London')

ical_without_data_prefix = cal.ical_url.delete_prefix("data:text/calendar;charset=utf8,")

ical_file_content = URI.decode_www_form_component(ical_without_data_prefix)

File.open("event_filename.ics", "w") { |file| file.write(ical_file_content) }

There might be a weird extra \ occasionally in the ics file if you've added manual newlines in the description or commas in the location but it should still work fine. Have a go and let me know how you get on :)