# ActiveRecord::Base -\> what does it mean?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/activerecord-base-what-does-it-mean/169857>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [June 9, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/activerecord-base-what-does-it-mean/169857 "2009-06-09T17:46:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/tivrfoa)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/activerecord-base-what-does-it-mean/169857/1 "2009-06-09T17:46:12Z")

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Hi folks!

I just want to know the name of the relationship between ActiveRecord  
and Base.

Thanks!!!

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**Author:** ![tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/tivrfoa)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/activerecord-base-what-does-it-mean/169857/2 "2009-06-09T18:04:25Z")

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On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 11:45 AM, tivrfoa[removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Hi folks!
> 
> I just want to know the name of the relationship between ActiveRecord  
> and Base.
> 
> Thanks!!!

ActiveRecord is a global which refers to a Ruby module. One of the  
functions of a module in Ruby is to define a name space.

ActiveRecord::Base is a constant defined in the ActiveRecord name  
space, which happens to refer to a class.

Name spacing allows for the existence of, and distinction between say:

ActiveRecord::Base  
vs  
ActionController::Base  
vs  
ActionView::Base

etc.

–  
Rick DeNatale

Blog: [http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/](http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/)  
Twitter: [http://twitter.com/RickDeNatale](http://twitter.com/RickDeNatale)  
WWR: [http://www.workingwithrails.com/person/9021-rick-denatale](http://www.workingwithrails.com/person/9021-rick-denatale)  
LinkedIn: [http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdenatale](http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdenatale)

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**Author:** ![tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tivrfoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/tivrfoa)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/activerecord-base-what-does-it-mean/169857/3 "2009-06-09T20:18:57Z")

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Thanks a lot Rick!