# Difference between underscore, tableize and self.class.model

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-between-underscore-tableize-and-self-class-model/182330>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [January 26, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-between-underscore-tableize-and-self-class-model/182330 "2010-01-26T17:26:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmaenpaa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@jmaenpaa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/jmaenpaa)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-between-underscore-tableize-and-self-class-model/182330/1 "2010-01-26T17:26:10Z")

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Hey all,

Not sure what the difference between underscore and tableize, other than  
tableize also pluralizes. However, not sure how they can be used  
differently. Obviously, you can use tableize to reference table name in  
database. But what different functionality does underscore provide?  
Also, what different functionality would calling self.class.model, where  
model is a model. Basically, while I know what these three are, I’m not  
sure how they can be used differently.  
Thanks for any suggestions.