# File lib/factory_girl/step_definitions.rb, line 2
 2:   def convert_association_string_to_instance(factory_name, assignment)
 3:     attribute, value = assignment.split(':', 2)
 4:     return if value.blank?
 5:     attributes = convert_human_hash_to_attribute_hash(attribute => value.strip)
 6:     factory = Factory.factory_by_name(factory_name)
 7:     model_class = factory.build_class
 8:     model_class.find(:first, :conditions => attributes) or
 9:       Factory(factory_name, attributes)
10:   end