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-rw-r--r--guides/source/active_record_migrations.md70
1 files changed, 40 insertions, 30 deletions
diff --git a/guides/source/active_record_migrations.md b/guides/source/active_record_migrations.md
index ce605c912e..67881e6087 100644
--- a/guides/source/active_record_migrations.md
+++ b/guides/source/active_record_migrations.md
@@ -357,8 +357,8 @@ will append `ENGINE=BLACKHOLE` to the SQL statement used to create the table
### Creating a Join Table
-Migration method `create_join_table` creates an HABTM join table. A typical use
-would be:
+The migration method `create_join_table` creates an HABTM (has and belongs to
+many) join table. A typical use would be:
```ruby
create_join_table :products, :categories
@@ -367,23 +367,21 @@ create_join_table :products, :categories
which creates a `categories_products` table with two columns called
`category_id` and `product_id`. These columns have the option `:null` set to
`false` by default. This can be overridden by specifying the `:column_options`
-option.
+option:
```ruby
-create_join_table :products, :categories, column_options: {null: true}
+create_join_table :products, :categories, column_options: { null: true }
```
-will create the `product_id` and `category_id` with the `:null` option as
-`true`.
-
-You can pass the option `:table_name` when you want to customize the table
-name. For example:
+By default, the name of the join table comes from the union of the first two
+arguments provided to create_join_table, in alphabetical order.
+To customize the name of the table, provide a `:table_name` option:
```ruby
create_join_table :products, :categories, table_name: :categorization
```
-will create a `categorization` table.
+creates a `categorization` table.
`create_join_table` also accepts a block, which you can use to add indices
(which are not created by default) or additional columns:
@@ -524,20 +522,27 @@ majority of cases, where Active Record knows how to reverse the migration
automatically. Currently, the `change` method supports only these migration
definitions:
-* `add_column`
-* `add_index`
-* `add_reference`
-* `add_timestamps`
-* `add_foreign_key`
-* `create_table`
-* `create_join_table`
-* `drop_table` (must supply a block)
-* `drop_join_table` (must supply a block)
-* `remove_timestamps`
-* `rename_column`
-* `rename_index`
-* `remove_reference`
-* `rename_table`
+* add_column
+* add_foreign_key
+* add_index
+* add_reference
+* add_timestamps
+* change_column_default (must supply a :from and :to option)
+* change_column_null
+* create_join_table
+* create_table
+* disable_extension
+* drop_join_table
+* drop_table (must supply a block)
+* enable_extension
+* remove_column (must supply a type)
+* remove_foreign_key (must supply a second table)
+* remove_index
+* remove_reference
+* remove_timestamps
+* rename_column
+* rename_index
+* rename_table
`change_table` is also reversible, as long as the block does not call `change`,
`change_default` or `remove`.
@@ -654,7 +659,7 @@ can't be done.
You can use Active Record's ability to rollback migrations using the `revert` method:
```ruby
-require_relative '2012121212_example_migration'
+require_relative '20121212123456_example_migration'
class FixupExampleMigration < ActiveRecord::Migration
def change
@@ -784,7 +789,7 @@ The `rake db:reset` task will drop the database and set it up again. This is
functionally equivalent to `rake db:drop db:setup`.
NOTE: This is not the same as running all the migrations. It will only use the
-contents of the current `schema.rb` file. If a migration can't be rolled back,
+contents of the current `db/schema.rb` or `db/structure.sql` file. If a migration can't be rolled back,
`rake db:reset` may not help you. To find out more about dumping the schema see
[Schema Dumping and You](#schema-dumping-and-you) section.
@@ -1006,7 +1011,10 @@ such features, the `execute` method can be used to execute arbitrary SQL.
Migrations and Seed Data
------------------------
-Some people use migrations to add data to the database:
+The main purpose of Rails' migration feature is to issue commands that modify the
+schema using a consistent process. Migrations can also be used
+to add or modify data. This is useful in an existing database that can't be destroyed
+and recreated, such as a production database.
```ruby
class AddInitialProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
@@ -1022,9 +1030,11 @@ class AddInitialProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
```
-However, Rails has a 'seeds' feature that should be used for seeding a database
-with initial data. It's a really simple feature: just fill up `db/seeds.rb`
-with some Ruby code, and run `rake db:seed`:
+To add initial data after a database is created, Rails has a built-in
+'seeds' feature that makes the process quick and easy. This is especially
+useful when reloading the database frequently in development and test environments.
+It's easy to get started with this feature: just fill up `db/seeds.rb` with some
+Ruby code, and run `rake db:seed`:
```ruby
5.times do |i|