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Diffstat (limited to 'guides/source/association_basics.md')
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diff --git a/guides/source/association_basics.md b/guides/source/association_basics.md index 4977d4f30e..52c30f226f 100644 --- a/guides/source/association_basics.md +++ b/guides/source/association_basics.md @@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ case, the column definition might look like this: ```ruby create_table :accounts do |t| - t.belongs_to :supplier, index: true, unique: true, foreign_key: true + t.belongs_to :supplier, index: { unique: true }, foreign_key: true # ... end ``` @@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ The corresponding migration might look like this: class CreateSuppliers < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.0] def change create_table :suppliers do |t| - t.string :name + t.string :name t.timestamps end @@ -550,8 +550,8 @@ But what if you want to reload the cache, because data might have been changed b ```ruby author.books # retrieves books from the database author.books.size # uses the cached copy of books -author.books.reload.empty? # discards the cached copy of books - # and goes back to the database +author.books.reload.empty? # discards the cached copy of books + # and goes back to the database ``` ### Avoiding Name Collisions @@ -582,14 +582,30 @@ class CreateBooks < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.0] t.string :book_number t.integer :author_id end - - add_index :books, :author_id end end ``` If you create an association some time after you build the underlying model, you need to remember to create an `add_column` migration to provide the necessary foreign key. +It's a good practice to add an index on the foreign key to improve queries +performance and a foreign key constraint to ensure referential data integrity: + +```ruby +class CreateBooks < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.0] + def change + create_table :books do |t| + t.datetime :published_at + t.string :book_number + t.integer :author_id + end + + add_index :books, :author_id + add_foreign_key :books, :authors + end +end +``` + #### Creating Join Tables for `has_and_belongs_to_many` Associations If you create a `has_and_belongs_to_many` association, you need to explicitly create the joining table. Unless the name of the join table is explicitly specified by using the `:join_table` option, Active Record creates the name by using the lexical book of the class names. So a join between author and book models will give the default join table name of "authors_books" because "a" outranks "b" in lexical ordering. @@ -647,11 +663,11 @@ By default, associations look for objects only within the current module's scope module MyApplication module Business class Supplier < ApplicationRecord - has_one :account + has_one :account end class Account < ApplicationRecord - belongs_to :supplier + belongs_to :supplier end end end @@ -663,13 +679,13 @@ This will work fine, because both the `Supplier` and the `Account` class are def module MyApplication module Business class Supplier < ApplicationRecord - has_one :account + has_one :account end end module Billing class Account < ApplicationRecord - belongs_to :supplier + belongs_to :supplier end end end @@ -681,14 +697,14 @@ To associate a model with a model in a different namespace, you must specify the module MyApplication module Business class Supplier < ApplicationRecord - has_one :account, + has_one :account, class_name: "MyApplication::Billing::Account" end end module Billing class Account < ApplicationRecord - belongs_to :supplier, + belongs_to :supplier, class_name: "MyApplication::Business::Supplier" end end @@ -709,55 +725,64 @@ class Book < ApplicationRecord end ``` -By default, Active Record doesn't know about the connection between these associations. This can lead to two copies of an object getting out of sync: +Active Record will attempt to automatically identify that these two models share a bi-directional association based on the association name. In this way, Active Record will only load one copy of the `Author` object, making your application more efficient and preventing inconsistent data: ```ruby a = Author.first b = a.books.first a.first_name == b.author.first_name # => true -a.first_name = 'Manny' -a.first_name == b.author.first_name # => false +a.first_name = 'David' +a.first_name == b.author.first_name # => true ``` -This happens because `a` and `b.author` are two different in-memory representations of the same data, and neither one is automatically refreshed from changes to the other. Active Record provides the `:inverse_of` option so that you can inform it of these relations: +Active Record supports automatic identification for most associations with standard names. However, Active Record will not automatically identify bi-directional associations that contain a scope or any of the following options: + +* `:through` +* `:foreign_key` + +For example, consider the following model declarations: ```ruby class Author < ApplicationRecord - has_many :books, inverse_of: :author + has_many :books end class Book < ApplicationRecord - belongs_to :author, inverse_of: :books + belongs_to :writer, class_name: 'Author', foreign_key: 'author_id' end ``` -With these changes, Active Record will only load one copy of the author object, preventing inconsistencies and making your application more efficient: +Active Record will no longer automatically recognize the bi-directional association: ```ruby a = Author.first b = a.books.first -a.first_name == b.author.first_name # => true -a.first_name = 'Manny' -a.first_name == b.author.first_name # => true +a.first_name == b.writer.first_name # => true +a.first_name = 'David' +a.first_name == b.writer.first_name # => false ``` -There are a few limitations to `inverse_of` support: +Active Record provides the `:inverse_of` option so you can explicitly declare bi-directional associations: -* They do not work with `:through` associations. -* They do not work with `:polymorphic` associations. -* They do not work with `:as` associations. -* For `belongs_to` associations, `has_many` inverse associations are ignored. +```ruby +class Author < ApplicationRecord + has_many :books, inverse_of: 'writer' +end -Every association will attempt to automatically find the inverse association -and set the `:inverse_of` option heuristically (based on the association name). -Most associations with standard names will be supported. However, associations -that contain the following options will not have their inverses set -automatically: +class Book < ApplicationRecord + belongs_to :writer, class_name: 'Author', foreign_key: 'author_id' +end +``` -* `:conditions` -* `:through` -* `:polymorphic` -* `:foreign_key` +By including the `:inverse_of` option in the `has_many` association declaration, Active Record will now recognize the bi-directional association: + +```ruby +a = Author.first +b = a.books.first +a.first_name == b.writer.first_name # => true +a.first_name = 'David' +a.first_name == b.writer.first_name # => true +``` Detailed Association Reference ------------------------------ @@ -770,13 +795,14 @@ The `belongs_to` association creates a one-to-one match with another model. In d #### Methods Added by `belongs_to` -When you declare a `belongs_to` association, the declaring class automatically gains five methods related to the association: +When you declare a `belongs_to` association, the declaring class automatically gains 6 methods related to the association: * `association` * `association=(associate)` * `build_association(attributes = {})` * `create_association(attributes = {})` * `create_association!(attributes = {})` +* `reload_association` In all of these methods, `association` is replaced with the symbol passed as the first argument to `belongs_to`. For example, given the declaration: @@ -794,6 +820,7 @@ author= build_author create_author create_author! +reload_author ``` NOTE: When initializing a new `has_one` or `belongs_to` association you must use the `build_` prefix to build the association, rather than the `association.build` method that would be used for `has_many` or `has_and_belongs_to_many` associations. To create one, use the `create_` prefix. @@ -806,10 +833,10 @@ The `association` method returns the associated object, if any. If no associated @author = @book.author ``` -If the associated object has already been retrieved from the database for this object, the cached version will be returned. To override this behavior (and force a database read), call `#reload` on the parent object. +If the associated object has already been retrieved from the database for this object, the cached version will be returned. To override this behavior (and force a database read), call `#reload_association` on the parent object. ```ruby -@author = @book.reload.author +@author = @book.reload_author ``` ##### `association=(associate)` @@ -870,7 +897,7 @@ The `belongs_to` association supports these options: ##### `:autosave` -If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. +If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded association members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. Setting `:autosave` to `false` is not the same as not setting the `:autosave` option. If the `:autosave` option is not present, then new associated objects will be saved, but updated associated objects will not be saved. ##### `:class_name` @@ -926,19 +953,18 @@ class Author < ApplicationRecord end ``` -NOTE: You only need to specify the :counter_cache option on the `belongs_to` +NOTE: You only need to specify the `:counter_cache` option on the `belongs_to` side of the association. Counter cache columns are added to the containing model's list of read-only attributes through `attr_readonly`. ##### `:dependent` -Controls what happens to associated objects when their owner is destroyed: +If you set the `:dependent` option to: -* `:destroy` causes the associated objects to also be destroyed. -* `:delete_all` causes the associated objects to be deleted directly from the database (callbacks are not executed). -* `:nullify` causes the foreign keys to be set to `NULL` (callbacks are not executed). -* `:restrict_with_exception` causes an exception to be raised if there are associated records. -* `:restrict_with_error` causes an error to be added to the owner if there are associated objects. +* `:destroy`, when the object is destroyed, `destroy` will be called on its +associated objects. +* `:delete`, when the object is destroyed, all its associated objects will be +deleted directly from the database without calling their `destroy` method. WARNING: You should not specify this option on a `belongs_to` association that is connected with a `has_many` association on the other class. Doing so can lead to orphaned records in your database. @@ -977,7 +1003,7 @@ When we execute `@user.todos.create` then the `@todo` record will have its ##### `:inverse_of` -The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `has_many` or `has_one` association that is the inverse of this association. Does not work in combination with the `:polymorphic` options. +The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `has_many` or `has_one` association that is the inverse of this association. ```ruby class Author < ApplicationRecord @@ -1007,7 +1033,7 @@ class Author < ApplicationRecord end ``` -In this case, saving or destroying an book will update the timestamp on the associated author. You can also specify a particular timestamp attribute to update: +In this case, saving or destroying a book will update the timestamp on the associated author. You can also specify a particular timestamp attribute to update: ```ruby class Book < ApplicationRecord @@ -1047,7 +1073,7 @@ You can use any of the standard [querying methods](active_record_querying.html) The `where` method lets you specify the conditions that the associated object must meet. ```ruby -class book < ApplicationRecord +class Book < ApplicationRecord belongs_to :author, -> { where active: true } end ``` @@ -1120,13 +1146,14 @@ The `has_one` association creates a one-to-one match with another model. In data #### Methods Added by `has_one` -When you declare a `has_one` association, the declaring class automatically gains five methods related to the association: +When you declare a `has_one` association, the declaring class automatically gains 6 methods related to the association: * `association` * `association=(associate)` * `build_association(attributes = {})` * `create_association(attributes = {})` * `create_association!(attributes = {})` +* `reload_association` In all of these methods, `association` is replaced with the symbol passed as the first argument to `has_one`. For example, given the declaration: @@ -1144,6 +1171,7 @@ account= build_account create_account create_account! +reload_account ``` NOTE: When initializing a new `has_one` or `belongs_to` association you must use the `build_` prefix to build the association, rather than the `association.build` method that would be used for `has_many` or `has_and_belongs_to_many` associations. To create one, use the `create_` prefix. @@ -1156,10 +1184,10 @@ The `association` method returns the associated object, if any. If no associated @account = @supplier.account ``` -If the associated object has already been retrieved from the database for this object, the cached version will be returned. To override this behavior (and force a database read), call `#reload` on the parent object. +If the associated object has already been retrieved from the database for this object, the cached version will be returned. To override this behavior (and force a database read), call `#reload_association` on the parent object. ```ruby -@account = @supplier.reload.account +@account = @supplier.reload_account ``` ##### `association=(associate)` @@ -1220,7 +1248,7 @@ Setting the `:as` option indicates that this is a polymorphic association. Polym ##### `:autosave` -If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. +If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded association members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. Setting `:autosave` to `false` is not the same as not setting the `:autosave` option. If the `:autosave` option is not present, then new associated objects will be saved, but updated associated objects will not be saved. ##### `:class_name` @@ -1262,7 +1290,7 @@ TIP: In any case, Rails will not create foreign key columns for you. You need to ##### `:inverse_of` -The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `belongs_to` association that is the inverse of this association. Does not work in combination with the `:through` or `:as` options. +The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `belongs_to` association that is the inverse of this association. ```ruby class Supplier < ApplicationRecord @@ -1383,7 +1411,7 @@ If either of these saves fails due to validation errors, then the assignment sta If the parent object (the one declaring the `has_one` association) is unsaved (that is, `new_record?` returns `true`) then the child objects are not saved. They will automatically when the parent object is saved. -If you want to assign an object to a `has_one` association without saving the object, use the `association.build` method. +If you want to assign an object to a `has_one` association without saving the object, use the `build_association` method. ### `has_many` Association Reference @@ -1391,7 +1419,7 @@ The `has_many` association creates a one-to-many relationship with another model #### Methods Added by `has_many` -When you declare a `has_many` association, the declaring class automatically gains 16 methods related to the association: +When you declare a `has_many` association, the declaring class automatically gains 17 methods related to the association: * `collection` * `collection<<(object, ...)` @@ -1409,6 +1437,7 @@ When you declare a `has_many` association, the declaring class automatically gai * `collection.build(attributes = {}, ...)` * `collection.create(attributes = {})` * `collection.create!(attributes = {})` +* `collection.reload` In all of these methods, `collection` is replaced with the symbol passed as the first argument to `has_many`, and `collection_singular` is replaced with the singularized version of that symbol. For example, given the declaration: @@ -1437,11 +1466,12 @@ books.exists?(...) books.build(attributes = {}, ...) books.create(attributes = {}) books.create!(attributes = {}) +books.reload ``` ##### `collection` -The `collection` method returns an array of all of the associated objects. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty array. +The `collection` method returns a Relation of all of the associated objects. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty Relation. ```ruby @books = @author.books @@ -1477,7 +1507,7 @@ WARNING: Objects will _always_ be removed from the database, ignoring the `:depe ##### `collection=(objects)` -The `collection=` method makes the collection contain only the supplied objects, by adding and deleting as appropriate. +The `collection=` method makes the collection contain only the supplied objects, by adding and deleting as appropriate. The changes are persisted to the database. ##### `collection_singular_ids` @@ -1489,7 +1519,7 @@ The `collection_singular_ids` method returns an array of the ids of the objects ##### `collection_singular_ids=(ids)` -The `collection_singular_ids=` method makes the collection contain only the objects identified by the supplied primary key values, by adding and deleting as appropriate. +The `collection_singular_ids=` method makes the collection contain only the objects identified by the supplied primary key values, by adding and deleting as appropriate. The changes are persisted to the database. ##### `collection.clear` @@ -1522,10 +1552,11 @@ The `collection.size` method returns the number of objects in the collection. ##### `collection.find(...)` -The `collection.find` method finds objects within the collection. It uses the same syntax and options as `ActiveRecord::Base.find`. +The `collection.find` method finds objects within the collection. It uses the same syntax and options as +[`ActiveRecord::Base.find`](http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/FinderMethods.html#method-i-find). ```ruby -@available_books = @author.books.find(1) +@available_book = @author.books.find(1) ``` ##### `collection.where(...)` @@ -1575,6 +1606,14 @@ The `collection.create` method returns a single or array of new objects of the a Does the same as `collection.create` above, but raises `ActiveRecord::RecordInvalid` if the record is invalid. +##### `collection.reload` + +The `collection.reload` method returns a Relation of all of the associated objects, forcing a database read. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty Relation. + +```ruby +@books = @author.books.reload +``` + #### Options for `has_many` While Rails uses intelligent defaults that will work well in most situations, there may be times when you want to customize the behavior of the `has_many` association reference. Such customizations can easily be accomplished by passing options when you create the association. For example, this association uses two such options: @@ -1606,7 +1645,7 @@ Setting the `:as` option indicates that this is a polymorphic association, as di ##### `:autosave` -If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. +If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded association members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. Setting `:autosave` to `false` is not the same as not setting the `:autosave` option. If the `:autosave` option is not present, then new associated objects will be saved, but updated associated objects will not be saved. ##### `:class_name` @@ -1646,7 +1685,7 @@ TIP: In any case, Rails will not create foreign key columns for you. You need to ##### `:inverse_of` -The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `belongs_to` association that is the inverse of this association. Does not work in combination with the `:through` or `:as` options. +The `:inverse_of` option specifies the name of the `belongs_to` association that is the inverse of this association. ```ruby class Author < ApplicationRecord @@ -1797,7 +1836,7 @@ The `limit` method lets you restrict the total number of objects that will be fe class Author < ApplicationRecord has_many :recent_books, -> { order('published_at desc').limit(100) }, - class_name: "Book", + class_name: "Book" end ``` @@ -1841,7 +1880,7 @@ article = Article.create(name: 'a1') person.articles << article person.articles << article person.articles.inspect # => [#<Article id: 5, name: "a1">, #<Article id: 5, name: "a1">] -Reading.all.inspect # => [#<Reading id: 12, person_id: 5, article_id: 5>, #<Reading id: 13, person_id: 5, article_id: 5>] +Reading.all.inspect # => [#<Reading id: 12, person_id: 5, article_id: 5>, #<Reading id: 13, person_id: 5, article_id: 5>] ``` In the above case there are two readings and `person.articles` brings out both of @@ -1860,7 +1899,7 @@ article = Article.create(name: 'a1') person.articles << article person.articles << article person.articles.inspect # => [#<Article id: 7, name: "a1">] -Reading.all.inspect # => [#<Reading id: 16, person_id: 7, article_id: 7>, #<Reading id: 17, person_id: 7, article_id: 7>] +Reading.all.inspect # => [#<Reading id: 16, person_id: 7, article_id: 7>, #<Reading id: 17, person_id: 7, article_id: 7>] ``` In the above case there are still two readings. However `person.articles` shows @@ -1913,7 +1952,7 @@ The `has_and_belongs_to_many` association creates a many-to-many relationship wi #### Methods Added by `has_and_belongs_to_many` -When you declare a `has_and_belongs_to_many` association, the declaring class automatically gains 16 methods related to the association: +When you declare a `has_and_belongs_to_many` association, the declaring class automatically gains 17 methods related to the association: * `collection` * `collection<<(object, ...)` @@ -1931,6 +1970,7 @@ When you declare a `has_and_belongs_to_many` association, the declaring class au * `collection.build(attributes = {})` * `collection.create(attributes = {})` * `collection.create!(attributes = {})` +* `collection.reload` In all of these methods, `collection` is replaced with the symbol passed as the first argument to `has_and_belongs_to_many`, and `collection_singular` is replaced with the singularized version of that symbol. For example, given the declaration: @@ -1959,6 +1999,7 @@ assemblies.exists?(...) assemblies.build(attributes = {}, ...) assemblies.create(attributes = {}) assemblies.create!(attributes = {}) +assemblies.reload ``` ##### Additional Column Methods @@ -1970,7 +2011,7 @@ WARNING: The use of extra attributes on the join table in a `has_and_belongs_to_ ##### `collection` -The `collection` method returns an array of all of the associated objects. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty array. +The `collection` method returns a Relation of all of the associated objects. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty Relation. ```ruby @assemblies = @part.assemblies @@ -1994,11 +2035,9 @@ The `collection.delete` method removes one or more objects from the collection b @part.assemblies.delete(@assembly1) ``` -WARNING: This does not trigger callbacks on the join records. - ##### `collection.destroy(object, ...)` -The `collection.destroy` method removes one or more objects from the collection by running `destroy` on each record in the join table, including running callbacks. This does not destroy the objects. +The `collection.destroy` method removes one or more objects from the collection by deleting records in the join table. This does not destroy the objects. ```ruby @part.assemblies.destroy(@assembly1) @@ -2006,7 +2045,7 @@ The `collection.destroy` method removes one or more objects from the collection ##### `collection=(objects)` -The `collection=` method makes the collection contain only the supplied objects, by adding and deleting as appropriate. +The `collection=` method makes the collection contain only the supplied objects, by adding and deleting as appropriate. The changes are persisted to the database. ##### `collection_singular_ids` @@ -2018,7 +2057,7 @@ The `collection_singular_ids` method returns an array of the ids of the objects ##### `collection_singular_ids=(ids)` -The `collection_singular_ids=` method makes the collection contain only the objects identified by the supplied primary key values, by adding and deleting as appropriate. +The `collection_singular_ids=` method makes the collection contain only the objects identified by the supplied primary key values, by adding and deleting as appropriate. The changes are persisted to the database. ##### `collection.clear` @@ -2044,7 +2083,8 @@ The `collection.size` method returns the number of objects in the collection. ##### `collection.find(...)` -The `collection.find` method finds objects within the collection. It uses the same syntax and options as `ActiveRecord::Base.find`. It also adds the additional condition that the object must be in the collection. +The `collection.find` method finds objects within the collection. It uses the same syntax and options as +[`ActiveRecord::Base.find`](http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/FinderMethods.html#method-i-find). ```ruby @assembly = @part.assemblies.find(1) @@ -2052,7 +2092,7 @@ The `collection.find` method finds objects within the collection. It uses the sa ##### `collection.where(...)` -The `collection.where` method finds objects within the collection based on the conditions supplied but the objects are loaded lazily meaning that the database is queried only when the object(s) are accessed. It also adds the additional condition that the object must be in the collection. +The `collection.where` method finds objects within the collection based on the conditions supplied but the objects are loaded lazily meaning that the database is queried only when the object(s) are accessed. ```ruby @new_assemblies = @part.assemblies.where("created_at > ?", 2.days.ago) @@ -2084,6 +2124,14 @@ The `collection.create` method returns a new object of the associated type. This Does the same as `collection.create`, but raises `ActiveRecord::RecordInvalid` if the record is invalid. +##### `collection.reload` + +The `collection.reload` method returns a Relation of all of the associated objects, forcing a database read. If there are no associated objects, it returns an empty Relation. + +```ruby +@assemblies = @part.assemblies.reload +``` + #### Options for `has_and_belongs_to_many` While Rails uses intelligent defaults that will work well in most situations, there may be times when you want to customize the behavior of the `has_and_belongs_to_many` association reference. Such customizations can easily be accomplished by passing options when you create the association. For example, this association uses two such options: @@ -2121,7 +2169,7 @@ end ##### `:autosave` -If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. +If you set the `:autosave` option to `true`, Rails will save any loaded association members and destroy members that are marked for destruction whenever you save the parent object. Setting `:autosave` to `false` is not the same as not setting the `:autosave` option. If the `:autosave` option is not present, then new associated objects will be saved, but updated associated objects will not be saved. ##### `:class_name` |