# 4 Rails apps using the same table. How to streamline?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/4-rails-apps-using-the-same-table-how-to-streamline/196921>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [March 20, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/4-rails-apps-using-the-same-table-how-to-streamline/196921 "2009-03-20T18:20:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LaughingNinja](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@LaughingNinja](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/LaughingNinja)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/4-rails-apps-using-the-same-table-how-to-streamline/196921/1 "2009-03-20T18:20:00Z")

</div>

Hi,

I have 4 apps using similar User tables(3 open source projects and one  
in-house app). I’m trying to merge into one shared database User table  
(external to all 4 apps).

* * *

I’m using the following code in the User model to switch to the shared  
database:

class User \< ActiveRecord::Base

# GSL, 03/18/09 - Add reference to external ua database.

## User.establish\_connection ( :adapter =\> “mysql”, :host =\> “[example.corp.example.com](http://example.corp.example.com)”, :username =\> “root”, :password =\> “?”, :database =\> “ua\_production” )

Then, I have to switch the other models back:  
class Attachment \< ActiveRecord::Base

# GSL, 03/18/09 - Add reference to external ua database.

Attachment.establish\_connection (  
:adapter =\> “mysql”,  
:host =\> “[example.corp.example.com](http://example.corp.example.com)”,  
:username =\> “root”,  
:password =\> “?”,  
:database =\> “redmine”  
)

* * *

I added the above to all the other models in my Redmine app.

So, now the views that are trying to do a SQL JOIN are bombing.

Is there an easier way?

Thanks in advance.