Column with dynamic db type

Rails
1

Hi,

I have a Question model where the answer to the question can have
multiple db type (integer, string, boolean, …).

I would like to know if you have a better solution than this one:

Question:
question:string
answer_type:string

AnsweredQuestion:
question_id:integer
answer:text
answer_type:string

Ex: AnsweredQuestion.create(:question => 1, :answer => ‘5’, :answer_type
=> ‘Integer’)

My problem with this solution is that I can’t question is that I can’t
question the answered questions where the answer is > 2.

Any better idea?

2

On 2 May 2012, at 21:25, Greg Ma [email protected] wrote:

Hi,

I have a Question model where the answer to the question can have
multiple db type (integer, string, boolean, …).

I’ve had a similar situation. I’d use STI to have different models for
different answer types. My repository at
GitHub - iHiD/super_sti: Add extra data to SDI models yet maintain clean database tables. might help. Email me personally if you
want some help with that repository.

Jeremy W.
http://www.ihid.co.uk

3

Jeremy W. wrote in post #1059314:

On 2 May 2012, at 21:25, Greg Ma [email protected] wrote:

Hi,

I have a Question model where the answer to the question can have
multiple db type (integer, string, boolean, …).

I’ve had a similar situation. I’d use STI to have different models for
different answer types. My repository at
GitHub - iHiD/super_sti: Add extra data to SDI models yet maintain clean database tables. might help. Email me personally if you
want some help with that repository.

Here’s a direct and elegant solution: http://www.mongodb.org/
If rigid schema is the problem, then eliminate your dependence on a
pre-defined schema.

However, the STI solution mentioned above is probably the next best
approach.