Using One Lookup Table for Multiple Model Properties

Rails
1

I have a model that has two properties that both come from the same
database table.

Let’s say I have a “Lead” model. This Lead has both a contact “State”
(as in Colorado, Arkansas, etc.) and a “Property State” where the house
he’s looking to refinance is located. Both of these should obviously
be objects of the type “state”.

I’m running into trouble trying to put both the property_state_id and
state_id in the object. Do I need to create a second model for
PropertyState and just point it at the same database table? That seems
a little messy when PropertyState and State are both basically State
objects.

I hope this is clear (as mud probably).

Thanks in advance.

Justin

2

PropertyState and just point it at the same database table? That seems
a little messy when PropertyState and State are both basically State
objects.

I hope this is clear (as mud probably).

Thanks in advance.

Look into single table inheritence…

Then you’re Lead model could have_one :property_state and have_one
:contact_state and all would be well with the world :slight_smile:

-philip