Need help understanding syntax of Ruby on Rails controller and model inheritance

Question

So far when learning Ruby and Ruby on Rails I keep encountering the syntax

ActionController::Base

And have never clarified exactly what it means. Why the :: instead of say, a slash? Wouldn't ActionController/Base be more specific?

For example, while using the Globalize3 gem I added to my model the line

class About < ActiveRecord::Base
  translates :message
end

I get the generated model named MonthlyPost::Translation, but that doesn't explain much. Where exactly are these stored, and what does the :: mean? Any thoughts would be wonderful. Thanks.

willcodejavaforfood · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-08 21:56:07Z

5

ActionController::Base means find the class Base in the module ActionController.

It's a way of organising your classes, and also to avoid conflicts with classes made by others.

Here is a good article explaining how to use Modules for namespaces.

answered Apr 8, 2012 at 21:56

willcodejavaforfood

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Michael Slade · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-09 00:33:38Z

0

Rails is ruby. Learn ruby and your questions will be answered.

answered Apr 9, 2012 at 0:33

Michael Slade

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1 Comment

ruevaughn Over a year ago

Thanks, I definitely agree. I'm currently reading the pickaxe ruby book, its a lot to learn so I try to ask more about certain topics im struggling with.

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