Help with this comparison and loop

I am sending this information:

  <%= observe_field "resource_focus_id",

     :frequency => 0.25,

     :url => { :action => :add_sub_focus},

     :with => "'focus_id='+ value +

‘&sf_id=#{@resource.sub_focus_id}’",

     :update => "resource_sub_focus_id" %>

Which turns out to be:

All is good. Now in my controller I have:

def add_sub_focus
@sub_focuses = SubFocus.find_all_by_focus_id(@params[“focus_id”])
@sf_id = @params[“sf_id”]
end

My add_sub_focus.rhtml file:

<% for sub_focus in @sub_focuses do -%>

<% if #{sub_focus.id} != #{sf_id} %>

      <option value="<%= sub_focus.id %>">

         <%= sub_focus.name %>

      </option>

<% else %>

      <option value="<%= sub_focus.id %>" selected="selected">

         <%= sub_focus.name %>

      </option>

<% end %>

<% end -%>

Why does the option with the value of “2” not get selected? I know for
sure that that value is present.

If I do this:

<% for sub_focus in @sub_focuses do -%>

<% if #{sub_focus.id} == #{sf_id} %>

      <option value="<%= sub_focus.id %>" selected="selected">

         <%= sub_focus.name %>

      </option>

<% else %>

      <option value="<%= sub_focus.id %>">

         <%= sub_focus.name %>

      </option>

<% end %>

<% end -%>

I think every option gets selected because the last option is display
(as selected) and that isn’t the value that should be selected.

Thanks.

Seth