[FIXED] How should I set up a Rails app so that some Objects are linked to others (belong_to) but not all Objects have this relationship?

Issue

I'm not sure whether I've accurately reflected my aim in the title, but I'll explain more here.

In my app I have Companies, and Companies has_many Key_Contacts.

Companies also has_many Sales_Opportunities.

I would like the user to be able to select some of the Key_Contacts that belong_to the Company and associate them with a specific Sales_Opportunity. I would also like the user to be able to add a Key_Contact that is not associated with any Sales_Opportunity.

The aim for this is that I can show the specific Key_Contacts that are involved in one Sales_Opportunity view on the Sales_Opportunity page, but not all of them.

Is it as simple as adding a sales_opportunity_id to the Key_Contacts model, but not setting up the "belongs_to" and "has_many" relationships? Or is there a more "official Rails" method to achieve my goal?

Solution

If I am reading this right, then all you need to do is add another has_many :key_contacts relation to your SalesOpportunity model (and belongs_to :sales_opportunity in your KeyContacts model). Then relate all contacts belonging to a specific sales opportunity.

Answered By - Aventuris

Answer Checked By - Clifford M. (PHPFixing Volunteer)