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@ -1,28 +1,40 @@
h2. Migrations
Migrations are a convenient way for you to alter your database in a structured and organized manner. You could edit fragments of SQL by hand but you would then be responsible for telling other developers that they need to go and run them. You'd also have to keep track of which changes need to be run against the production machines next time you deploy.
Migrations are a convenient way for you to alter your database in a structured
and organized manner. You could edit fragments of SQL by hand but you would then
be responsible for telling other developers that they need to go and run them.
You'd also have to keep track of which changes need to be run against the
production machines next time you deploy.
Active Record tracks which migrations have already been run so all you have to do is update your source and run +rake db:migrate+. Active Record will work out which migrations should be run. It will also update your +db/schema.rb+ file to match the structure of your database.
Active Record tracks which migrations have already been run so all you have to
do is update your source and run +rake db:migrate+. Active Record will work out
which migrations should be run. It will also update your +db/schema.rb+ file to
match the structure of your database.
Migrations also allow you to describe these transformations using Ruby. The great thing about this is that (like most of Active Record's functionality) it is database independent: you don't need to worry about the precise syntax of +CREATE TABLE+ any more than you worry about variations on +SELECT *+ (you can drop down to raw SQL for database specific features). For example you could use SQLite3 in development, but MySQL in production.
Migrations also allow you to describe these transformations using Ruby. The
great thing about this is that (like most of Active Record's functionality) it
is database independent: you don't need to worry about the precise syntax of
+CREATE TABLE+ any more than you worry about variations on +SELECT *+ (you can
drop down to raw SQL for database specific features). For example you could use
SQLite3 in development, but MySQL in production.
You'll learn all about migrations including:
* The generators you can use to create them
* The methods Active Record provides to manipulate your database
* The Rake tasks that manipulate them
* How they relate to +schema.rb+
* The generators you can use to create them The methods Active Record provides
* to manipulate your database The Rake tasks that manipulate them How they
* relate to +schema.rb+
endprologue.
h3. Anatomy of a Migration
Before we dive into the details of a migration, here are a few examples of the sorts of things you can do:
Before we dive into the details of a migration, here are a few examples of the
sorts of things you can do:
<ruby>
class CreateProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
def up
create_table :products do |t|
create_table :products do |t|
t.string :name
t.text :description
@ -36,14 +48,20 @@ class CreateProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
</ruby>
This migration adds a table called +products+ with a string column called +name+ and a text column called +description+. A primary key column called +id+ will also be added, however since this is the default we do not need to ask for this. The timestamp columns +created_at+ and +updated_at+ which Active Record populates automatically will also be added. Reversing this migration is as simple as dropping the table.
This migration adds a table called +products+ with a string column called +name+
and a text column called +description+. A primary key column called +id+ will
also be added, however since this is the default we do not need to ask for this.
The timestamp columns +created_at+ and +updated_at+ which Active Record
populates automatically will also be added. Reversing this migration is as
simple as dropping the table.
Migrations are not limited to changing the schema. You can also use them to fix bad data in the database or populate new fields:
Migrations are not limited to changing the schema. You can also use them to fix
bad data in the database or populate new fields:
<ruby>
class AddReceiveNewsletterToUsers < ActiveRecord::Migration
def up
change_table :users do |t|
change_table :users do |t|
t.boolean :receive_newsletter, :default => false
end
User.update_all ["receive_newsletter = ?", true]
@ -55,17 +73,23 @@ class AddReceiveNewsletterToUsers < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
</ruby>
NOTE: Some "caveats":#using-models-in-your-migrations apply to using models in your migrations.
NOTE: Some "caveats":#using-models-in-your-migrations apply to using models in
your migrations.
This migration adds a +receive_newsletter+ column to the +users+ table. We want it to default to +false+ for new users, but existing users are considered
to have already opted in, so we use the User model to set the flag to +true+ for existing users.
This migration adds a +receive_newsletter+ column to the +users+ table. We want
it to default to +false+ for new users, but existing users are considered to
have already opted in, so we use the User model to set the flag to +true+ for
existing users.
Rails 3.1 makes migrations smarter by providing a new <tt>change</tt> method. This method is preferred for writing constructive migrations (adding columns or tables). The migration knows how to migrate your database and reverse it when the migration is rolled back without the need to write a separate +down+ method.
Rails 3.1 makes migrations smarter by providing a new <tt>change</tt> method.
This method is preferred for writing constructive migrations (adding columns or
tables). The migration knows how to migrate your database and reverse it when
the migration is rolled back without the need to write a separate +down+ method.
<ruby>
class CreateProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
def change
create_table :products do |t|
create_table :products do |t|
t.string :name
t.text :description
@ -77,64 +101,97 @@ end
h4. Migrations are Classes
A migration is a subclass of <tt>ActiveRecord::Migration</tt> that implements two methods: +up+ (perform the required transformations) and +down+ (revert them).
A migration is a subclass of <tt>ActiveRecord::Migration</tt> that implements
two methods: +up+ (perform the required transformations) and +down+ (revert
them).
Active Record provides methods that perform common data definition tasks in a database independent way (you'll read about them in detail later):
Active Record provides methods that perform common data definition tasks in a
database independent way (you'll read about them in detail later):
* +create_table+
* +change_table+
* +drop_table+
* +add_column+
* +change_column+
* +rename_column+
* +remove_column+
* +add_index+
* +remove_index+
* +create_table+ +change_table+ +drop_table+ +add_column+ +change_column+
* +rename_column+ +remove_column+ +add_index+ +remove_index+
If you need to perform tasks specific to your database (for example create a "foreign key":#active-record-and-referential-integrity constraint) then the +execute+ method allows you to execute arbitrary SQL. A migration is just a regular Ruby class so you're not limited to these functions. For example after adding a column you could write code to set the value of that column for existing records (if necessary using your models).
If you need to perform tasks specific to your database (for example create a
"foreign key":#active-record-and-referential-integrity constraint) then the
+execute+ method allows you to execute arbitrary SQL. A migration is just a
regular Ruby class so you're not limited to these functions. For example after
adding a column you could write code to set the value of that column for
existing records (if necessary using your models).
On databases that support transactions with statements that change the schema (such as PostgreSQL or SQLite3), migrations are wrapped in a transaction. If the database does not support this (for example MySQL) then when a migration fails the parts of it that succeeded will not be rolled back. You will have to unpick the changes that were made by hand.
On databases that support transactions with statements that change the schema
(such as PostgreSQL or SQLite3), migrations are wrapped in a transaction. If the
database does not support this (for example MySQL) then when a migration fails
the parts of it that succeeded will not be rolled back. You will have to unpick
the changes that were made by hand.
h4. What's in a Name
Migrations are stored in files in +db/migrate+, one for each migration class. The name of the file is of the form +YYYYMMDDHHMMSS_create_products.rb+, that is to say a UTC timestamp identifying the migration followed by an underscore followed by the name of the migration. The name of the migration class (CamelCased version) should match the latter part of the file name. For example +20080906120000_create_products.rb+ should define class +CreateProducts+ and +20080906120001_add_details_to_products.rb+ should define +AddDetailsToProducts+. If you do feel the need to change the file name then you <em>have to</em> update the name of the class inside or Rails will complain about a missing class.
Migrations are stored as files in the +db/migrate+ directory, one for each
migration class. The name of the file is of the form
+YYYYMMDDHHMMSS_create_products.rb+, that is to say a UTC timestamp
identifying the migration followed by an underscore followed by the name
of the migration. The name of the migration class (CamelCased version)
should match the latter part of the file name. For example
+20080906120000_create_products.rb+ should define class +CreateProducts+ and
+20080906120001_add_details_to_products.rb+ should define
+AddDetailsToProducts+. If you do feel the need to change the file name then you
<em>have to</em> update the name of the class inside or Rails will complain
about a missing class.
Internally Rails only uses the migration's number (the timestamp) to identify them. Prior to Rails 2.1 the migration number started at 1 and was incremented each time a migration was generated. With multiple developers it was easy for these to clash requiring you to rollback migrations and renumber them. With Rails 2.1 this is largely avoided by using the creation time of the migration to identify them. You can revert to the old numbering scheme by adding the following line to +config/application.rb+.
Internally Rails only uses the migration's number (the timestamp) to identify
them. Prior to Rails 2.1 the migration number started at 1 and was incremented
each time a migration was generated. With multiple developers it was easy for
these to clash requiring you to rollback migrations and renumber them. With
Rails 2.1+ this is largely avoided by using the creation time of the migration
to identify them. You can revert to the old numbering scheme by adding the
following line to +config/application.rb+.
<ruby>
config.active_record.timestamped_migrations = false
</ruby>
The combination of timestamps and recording which migrations have been run allows Rails to handle common situations that occur with multiple developers.
The combination of timestamps and recording which migrations have been run
allows Rails to handle common situations that occur with multiple developers.
For example Alice adds migrations +20080906120000+ and +20080906123000+ and Bob adds +20080906124500+ and runs it. Alice finishes her changes and checks in her migrations and Bob pulls down the latest changes. Rails knows that it has not run Alice's two migrations so +rake db:migrate+ would run them (even though Bob's migration with a later timestamp has been run), and similarly migrating down would not run their +down+ methods.
For example Alice adds migrations +20080906120000+ and +20080906123000+ and Bob
adds +20080906124500+ and runs it. Alice finishes her changes and checks in her
migrations and Bob pulls down the latest changes. Rails knows that it has not
run Alice's two migrations so +rake db:migrate+ would run them (even though
Bob's migration with a later timestamp has been run), and similarly migrating
down would not run their +down+ methods.
Of course this is no substitution for communication within the team. For example, if Alice's migration removed a table that Bob's migration assumed to exist, then trouble would certainly strike.
Of course this is no substitution for communication within the team. For
example, if Alice's migration removed a table that Bob's migration assumed to
exist, then trouble would certainly strike.
h4. Changing Migrations
Occasionally you will make a mistake when writing a migration. If you have already run the migration then you cannot just edit the migration and run the migration again: Rails thinks it has already run the migration and so will do nothing when you run +rake db:migrate+. You must rollback the migration (for example with +rake db:rollback+), edit your migration and then run +rake db:migrate+ to run the corrected version.
Occasionally you will make a mistake when writing a migration. If you have
already run the migration then you cannot just edit the migration and run the
migration again: Rails thinks it has already run the migration and so will do
nothing when you run +rake db:migrate+. You must rollback the migration (for
example with +rake db:rollback+), edit your migration and then run +rake
db:migrate+ to run the corrected version.
In general editing existing migrations is not a good idea: you will be creating extra work for yourself and your co-workers and cause major headaches if the existing version of the migration has already been run on production machines. Instead, you should write a new migration that performs the changes you require. Editing a freshly generated migration that has not yet been committed to source control (or, more generally, which has not been propagated beyond your development machine) is relatively harmless.
In general editing existing migrations is not a good idea: you will be creating
extra work for yourself and your co-workers and cause major headaches if the
existing version of the migration has already been run on production machines.
Instead, you should write a new migration that performs the changes you require.
Editing a freshly generated migration that has not yet been committed to source
control (or, more generally, which has not been propagated beyond your
development machine) is relatively harmless.
h4. Supported Types
Active Record supports the following types:
* +:primary_key+
* +:string+
* +:text+
* +:integer+
* +:float+
* +:decimal+
* +:datetime+
* +:timestamp+
* +:time+
* +:date+
* +:binary+
* +:boolean+
* +:primary_key+ +:string+ +:text+ +:integer+ +:float+ +:decimal+ +:datetime+
* +:timestamp+ +:time+ +:date+ +:binary+ +:boolean+
These will be mapped onto an appropriate underlying database type. For example, with MySQL the type +:string+ is mapped to +VARCHAR(255)+. You can create columns of types not supported by Active Record when using the non-sexy syntax, for example
These will be mapped onto an appropriate underlying database type. For example,
with MySQL the type +:string+ is mapped to +VARCHAR(255)+. You can create
columns of types not supported by Active Record when using the non-sexy syntax,
for example
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
@ -148,7 +205,10 @@ h3. Creating a Migration
h4. Creating a Model
The model and scaffold generators will create migrations appropriate for adding a new model. This migration will already contain instructions for creating the relevant table. If you tell Rails what columns you want, then statements for adding these columns will also be created. For example, running
The model and scaffold generators will create migrations appropriate for adding
a new model. This migration will already contain instructions for creating the
relevant table. If you tell Rails what columns you want, then statements for
adding these columns will also be created. For example, running
<shell>
$ rails generate model Product name:string description:text
@ -169,14 +229,16 @@ class CreateProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
</ruby>
You can append as many column name/type pairs as you want. By default +t.timestamps+ (which creates the +updated_at+ and +created_at+ columns that
are automatically populated by Active Record) will be added for you.
You can append as many column name/type pairs as you want. By default
+t.timestamps+ (which creates the +updated_at+ and +created_at+ columns that are
automatically populated by Active Record) will be added for you.
h4. Creating a Standalone Migration
If you are creating migrations for other purposes (for example to add a column to an existing table) then you can use the migration generator:
If you are creating migrations for other purposes (for example to add a column
to an existing table) then you can use the migration generator:
<shell>
<shell>
$ rails generate migration AddPartNumberToProducts
</shell>
@ -189,7 +251,9 @@ class AddPartNumberToProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
</ruby>
If the migration name is of the form "AddXXXToYYY" or "RemoveXXXFromYYY" and is followed by a list of column names and types then a migration containing the appropriate +add_column+ and +remove_column+ statements will be created.
If the migration name is of the form "AddXXXToYYY" or "RemoveXXXFromYYY" and is
followed by a list of column names and types then a migration containing the
appropriate +add_column+ and +remove_column+ statements will be created.
<shell>
$ rails generate migration AddPartNumberToProducts part_number:string
@ -223,7 +287,6 @@ class RemovePartNumberFromProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
add_column :products, :part_number, :string
end
end
</ruby>
You are not limited to one magically generated column, for example
@ -242,17 +305,22 @@ class AddDetailsToProducts < ActiveRecord::Migration
end
</ruby>
As always, what has been generated for you is just a starting point. You can add or remove from it as you see fit.
As always, what has been generated for you is just a starting point. You can add
or remove from it as you see fit.
NOTE: The generated migration file for destructive migrations will still be old-style using the +up+ and +down+ methods. This is because Rails doesn't know the original data types defined when you made the original changes.
NOTE: The generated migration file for destructive migrations will still be
old-style using the +up+ and +down+ methods. This is because Rails doesn't know
the original data types defined when you made the original changes.
h3. Writing a Migration
Once you have created your migration using one of the generators it's time to get to work!
Once you have created your migration using one of the generators it's time to
get to work!
h4. Creating a Table
Migration method +create_table+ will be one of your workhorses. A typical use would be
Migration method +create_table+ will be one of your workhorses. A typical use
would be
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
@ -260,9 +328,11 @@ create_table :products do |t|
end
</ruby>
which creates a +products+ table with a column called +name+ (and as discussed below, an implicit +id+ column).
which creates a +products+ table with a column called +name+ (and as discussed
below, an implicit +id+ column).
The object yielded to the block allows you to create columns on the table. There are two ways of doing it. The first (traditional) form looks like
The object yielded to the block allows you to create columns on the table. There
are two ways of doing it. The first (traditional) form looks like
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
@ -270,7 +340,9 @@ create_table :products do |t|
end
</ruby>
The second form, the so called "sexy" migration, drops the somewhat redundant +column+ method. Instead, the +string+, +integer+, etc. methods create a column of that type. Subsequent parameters are the same.
The second form, the so called "sexy" migration, drops the somewhat redundant
+column+ method. Instead, the +string+, +integer+, etc. methods create a column
of that type. Subsequent parameters are the same.
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
@ -278,7 +350,12 @@ create_table :products do |t|
end
</ruby>
By default, +create_table+ will create a primary key called +id+. You can change the name of the primary key with the +:primary_key+ option (don't forget to update the corresponding model) or, if you don't want a primary key at all (for example for a HABTM join table), you can pass the option +:id => false+. If you need to pass database specific options you can place an SQL fragment in the +:options+ option. For example,
By default, +create_table+ will create a primary key called +id+. You can change
the name of the primary key with the +:primary_key+ option (don't forget to
update the corresponding model) or, if you don't want a primary key at all (for
example for a HABTM join table), you can pass the option +:id => false+. If you
need to pass database specific options you can place an SQL fragment in the
+:options+ option. For example,
<ruby>
create_table :products, :options => "ENGINE=BLACKHOLE" do |t|
@ -286,11 +363,14 @@ create_table :products, :options => "ENGINE=BLACKHOLE" do |t|
end
</ruby>
will append +ENGINE=BLACKHOLE+ to the SQL statement used to create the table (when using MySQL, the default is +ENGINE=InnoDB+).
will append +ENGINE=BLACKHOLE+ to the SQL statement used to create the table
(when using MySQL, the default is +ENGINE=InnoDB+).
h4. Changing Tables
A close cousin of +create_table+ is +change_table+, used for changing existing tables. It is used in a similar fashion to +create_table+ but the object yielded to the block knows more tricks. For example
A close cousin of +create_table+ is +change_table+, used for changing existing
tables. It is used in a similar fashion to +create_table+ but the object yielded
to the block knows more tricks. For example
<ruby>
change_table :products do |t|
@ -301,29 +381,27 @@ change_table :products do |t|
end
</ruby>
removes the +description+ and +name+ columns, creates a +part_number+ column and adds an index on it. Finally it renames the +upccode+ column. This is the same as doing
<ruby>
remove_column :products, :description
remove_column :products, :name
add_column :products, :part_number, :string
add_index :products, :part_number
rename_column :products, :upccode, :upc_code
</ruby>
You don't have to keep repeating the table name and it groups all the statements related to modifying one particular table. The individual transformation names are also shorter, for example +remove_column+ becomes just +remove+ and +add_index+ becomes just +index+.
You don't have to keep repeating the table name and it groups all the statements
related to modifying one particular table. The individual transformation names
are also shorter, for example +remove_column+ becomes just +remove+ and
+add_index+ becomes just +index+.
h4. Special Helpers
Active Record provides some shortcuts for common functionality. It is for example very common to add both the +created_at+ and +updated_at+ columns and so there is a method that does exactly that:
Active Record provides some shortcuts for common functionality. It is for
example very common to add both the +created_at+ and +updated_at+ columns and so
there is a method that does exactly that:
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
t.timestamps
end
</ruby>
will create a new products table with those two columns (plus the +id+ column) whereas
will create a new products table with those two columns (plus the +id+ column)
whereas
The other helper is called +references+ (also available as +belongs_to+). In its
<ruby>
change_table :products do |t|
t.timestamps
@ -331,7 +409,7 @@ end
</ruby>
adds those columns to an existing table.
The other helper is called +references+ (also available as +belongs_to+). In its simplest form it just adds some readability
simplest form it just adds some readability
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
@ -339,43 +417,60 @@ create_table :products do |t|
end
</ruby>
will create a +category_id+ column of the appropriate type. Note that you pass the model name, not the column name. Active Record adds the +_id+ for you. If you have polymorphic +belongs_to+ associations then +references+ will add both of the columns required:
will create a +category_id+ column of the appropriate type. Note that you pass
the model name, not the column name. Active Record adds the +_id+ for you. If
you have polymorphic +belongs_to+ associations then +references+ will add both
of the columns required:
<ruby>
create_table :products do |t|
t.references :attachment, :polymorphic => {:default => 'Photo'}
end
</ruby>
will add an +attachment_id+ column and a string +attachment_type+ column with a default value of 'Photo'.
NOTE: The +references+ helper does not actually create foreign key constraints for you. You will need to use +execute+ or a plugin that adds "foreign key support":#active-record-and-referential-integrity.
will add an +attachment_id+ column and a string +attachment_type+ column with
a default value of 'Photo'.
If the helpers provided by Active Record aren't enough you can use the +execute+ method to execute arbitrary SQL.
NOTE: The +references+ helper does not actually create foreign key constraints
for you. You will need to use +execute+ or a plugin that adds "foreign key
support":#active-record-and-referential-integrity.
For more details and examples of individual methods, check the API documentation, in particular the documentation for "<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::SchemaStatements</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/SchemaStatements.html (which provides the methods available in the +up+ and +down+ methods), "<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::TableDefinition</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/TableDefinition.html (which provides the methods available on the object yielded by +create_table+) and "<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::Table</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/Table.html (which provides the methods available on the object yielded by +change_table+).
If the helpers provided by Active Record aren't enough you can use the +execute+
method to execute arbitrary SQL.
For more details and examples of individual methods, check the API documentation,
in particular the documentation for
"<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::SchemaStatements</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/SchemaStatements.html
(which provides the methods available in the +up+ and +down+ methods),
"<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::TableDefinition</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/TableDefinition.html
(which provides the methods available on the object yielded by +create_table+)
and
"<tt>ActiveRecord::ConnectionAdapters::Table</tt>":http://api.rubyonrails.org/classes/ActiveRecord/ConnectionAdapters/Table.html
(which provides the methods available on the object yielded by +change_table+).
h4. Writing Your +change+ Method
The +change+ method removes the need to write both +up+ and +down+ methods in those cases that Rails know how to revert the changes automatically. Currently, the +change+ method supports only these migration definitions:
The +change+ method removes the need to write both +up+ and +down+ methods in
those cases that Rails know how to revert the changes automatically. Currently,
the +change+ method supports only these migration definitions:
* +add_column+
* +add_index+
* +add_timestamps+
* +create_table+
* +remove_timestamps+
* +rename_column+
* +rename_index+
* +rename_table+
* +add_column+ +add_index+ +add_timestamps+ +create_table+ +remove_timestamps+
* +rename_column+ +rename_index+ +rename_table+
If you're going to use other methods, you'll have to write the +up+ and +down+ methods normally.
If you're going to use other methods, you'll have to write the +up+ and +down+
methods normally.
h4. Writing Your +down+ Method
The +down+ method of your migration should revert the transformations done by the +up+ method. In other words, the database schema should be unchanged if you do an +up+ followed by a +down+. For example, if you create a table in the +up+ method, you should drop it in the +down+ method. It is wise to reverse the transformations in precisely the reverse order they were made in the +up+ method. For example,
The +down+ method of your migration should revert the transformations done by
the +up+ method. In other words, the database schema should be unchanged if you
do an +up+ followed by a +down+. For example, if you create a table in the +up+
method, you should drop it in the +down+ method. It is wise to reverse the
transformations in precisely the reverse order they were made in the +up+
method. For example,
<ruby>
class ExampleMigration < ActiveRecord::Migration
def up
create_table :products do |t|
t.references :category
@ -387,47 +482,65 @@ class ExampleMigration < ActiveRecord::Migration
FOREIGN KEY (category_id)
REFERENCES categories(id)
SQL
add_column :users, :home_page_url, :string
rename_column :users, :email, :email_address
end
def down
rename_column :users, :email_address, :email
remove_column :users, :home_page_url
execute "ALTER TABLE products DROP FOREIGN KEY fk_products_categories"
execute <<-SQL
ALTER TABLE products
DROP FOREIGN KEY fk_products_categories
SQL
drop_table :products
end
end
</ruby>
Sometimes your migration will do something which is just plain irreversible; for example, it might destroy some data. In such cases, you can raise +ActiveRecord::IrreversibleMigration+ from your +down+ method. If someone tries to revert your migration, an error message will be displayed saying that it can't be done.
Sometimes your migration will do something which is just plain irreversible; for
example, it might destroy some data. In such cases, you can raise
+ActiveRecord::IrreversibleMigration+ from your +down+ method. If someone tries
to revert your migration, an error message will be displayed saying that it
can't be done.
h3. Running Migrations
Rails provides a set of rake tasks to work with migrations which boil down to running certain sets of migrations. The very first migration related rake task you will use will probably be +db:migrate+. In its most basic form it just runs the +up+ method for all the migrations that have not yet been run. If there are no such migrations, it exits.
Rails provides a set of rake tasks to work with migrations which boil down to
running certain sets of migrations. The very first migration related rake task
you will use will probably be +db:migrate+. In its most basic form it just runs
the +up+ method for all the migrations that have not yet been run. If there are
no such migrations, it exits.
Note that running the +db:migrate+ also invokes the +db:schema:dump+ task, which will update your db/schema.rb file to match the structure of your database.
Note that running the +db:migrate+ also invokes the +db:schema:dump+ task, which
will update your db/schema.rb file to match the structure of your database.
If you specify a target version, Active Record will run the required migrations (up or down) until it has reached the specified version. The
version is the numerical prefix on the migration's filename. For example, to migrate to version 20080906120000 run
If you specify a target version, Active Record will run the required migrations
(up or down) until it has reached the specified version. The version is the
numerical prefix on the migration's filename. For example, to migrate to version
20080906120000 run
<shell>
$ rake db:migrate VERSION=20080906120000
</shell>
If version 20080906120000 is greater than the current version (i.e., it is migrating upwards), this will run the +up+ method on all migrations up to and including 20080906120000. If migrating downwards, this will run the +down+ method on all the migrations down to, but not including, 20080906120000.
If version 20080906120000 is greater than the current version (i.e., it is
migrating upwards), this will run the +up+ method on all migrations up to and
including 20080906120000. If migrating downwards, this will run the +down+
method on all the migrations down to, but not including, 20080906120000.
h4. Rolling Back
A common task is to rollback the last migration, for example if you made a mistake in it and wish to correct it. Rather than tracking down the version number associated with the previous migration you can run
A common task is to rollback the last migration, for example if you made a
mistake in it and wish to correct it. Rather than tracking down the version
number associated with the previous migration you can run
<shell>
$ rake db:rollback
</shell>
This will run the +down+ method from the latest migration. If you need to undo several migrations you can provide a +STEP+ parameter:
This will run the +down+ method from the latest migration. If you need to undo
several migrations you can provide a +STEP+ parameter:
<shell>
$ rake db:rollback STEP=3
@ -435,46 +548,59 @@ $ rake db:rollback STEP=3
will run the +down+ method from the last 3 migrations.
The +db:migrate:redo+ task is a shortcut for doing a rollback and then migrating back up again. As with the +db:rollback+ task, you can use the +STEP+ parameter if you need to go more than one version back, for example
The +db:migrate:redo+ task is a shortcut for doing a rollback and then migrating
back up again. As with the +db:rollback+ task, you can use the +STEP+ parameter
if you need to go more than one version back, for example
<shell>
$ rake db:migrate:redo STEP=3
</shell>
Neither of these Rake tasks do anything you could not do with +db:migrate+. They are simply more convenient, since you do not need to explicitly specify the version to migrate to.
Neither of these Rake tasks do anything you could not do with +db:migrate+. They
are simply more convenient, since you do not need to explicitly specify the
version to migrate to.
Lastly, the +db:reset+ task will drop the database, recreate it and load the current schema into it.
Lastly, the +db:reset+ task will drop the database, recreate it and load the
current schema into it.
NOTE: This is not the same as running all the migrations - see the section on "schema.rb":#schema-dumping-and-you.
NOTE: This is not the same as running all the migrations - see the section on
"schema.rb":#schema-dumping-and-you.
h4. Being Specific
If you need to run a specific migration up or down, the +db:migrate:up+ and +db:migrate:down+ tasks will do that. Just specify the appropriate version and the corresponding migration will have its +up+ or +down+ method invoked, for example,
If you need to run a specific migration up or down, the +db:migrate:up+ and
+db:migrate:down+ tasks will do that. Just specify the appropriate version and
the corresponding migration will have its +up+ or +down+ method invoked, for
example,
<shell>
$ rake db:migrate:up VERSION=20080906120000
</shell>
will run the +up+ method from the 20080906120000 migration. These tasks check whether the migration has already run, so for example +db:migrate:up VERSION=20080906120000+ will do nothing if Active Record believes that 20080906120000 has already been run.
will run the +up+ method from the 20080906120000 migration. These tasks check
whether the migration has already run, so for example +db:migrate:up
VERSION=20080906120000+ will do nothing if Active Record believes that
20080906120000 has already been run.
h4. Being Talkative
By default migrations tell you exactly what they're doing and how long it took. A migration creating a table and adding an index might produce output like this
By default migrations tell you exactly what they're doing and how long it took.
A migration creating a table and adding an index might produce output like this
<shell>
20080906170109 CreateProducts: migrating
== CreateProducts: migrating =================================================
-- create_table(:products)
-> 0.0021s
-- add_index(:products, :name)
-> 0.0026s
20080906170109 CreateProducts: migrated (0.0059s)
-> 0.0028s
== CreateProducts: migrated (0.0028s) ========================================
</shell>
Several methods are provided that allow you to control all this:
* +suppress_messages+ takes a block as an argument and suppresses any output generated by the block.
* +say+ takes a message argument and outputs it as is. A second boolean argument can be passed to specify whether to indent or not.
* +say_with_time+ outputs text along with how long it took to run its block. If the block returns an integer it assumes it is the number of rows affected.
* +suppress_messages+ takes a block as an argument and suppresses any output
* generated by the block. +say+ takes a message argument and outputs it as is.
* A second boolean argument can be passed to specify whether to indent or not.
* +say_with_time+ outputs text along with how long it took to run its block. If
* the block returns an integer it assumes it is the number of rows affected.
For example, this migration
@ -502,37 +628,46 @@ end
generates the following output
<shell>
20080906170109 CreateProducts: migrating
Created a table
== CreateProducts: migrating =================================================
-- Created a table
-> and an index!
Waiting for a while
-> 10.0001s
-- Waiting for a while
-> 10.0013s
-> 250 rows
20080906170109 CreateProducts: migrated (10.0097s)
== CreateProducts: migrated (10.0054s) =======================================
</shell>
If you just want Active Record to shut up, then running +rake db:migrate VERBOSE=false+ will suppress all output.
If you just want Active Record to shut up, then running +rake db:migrate
VERBOSE=false+ will suppress all output.
h3. Using Models in Your Migrations
When creating or updating data in a migration it is often tempting to use one of your models. After all, they exist to provide easy access to the underlying data. This can be done, but some caution should be observed.
When creating or updating data in a migration it is often tempting to use one of
your models. After all, they exist to provide easy access to the underlying
data. This can be done, but some caution should be observed.
For example, problems occur when the model uses database columns which are (1) not currently in the database and (2) will be created by this or a subsequent migration.
For example, problems occur when the model uses database columns which are (1)
not currently in the database and (2) will be created by this or a subsequent
migration.
Consider this example, where Alice and Bob are working on the same code base which contains a +Product+ model:
Consider this example, where Alice and Bob are working on the same code base
which contains a +Product+ model:
Bob goes on vacation.
Alice creates a migration for the +products+ table which adds a new column and initializes it.
She also adds a validation to the +Product+ model for the new column.
Alice creates a migration for the +products+ table which adds a new column and
initializes it. She also adds a validation to the +Product+ model for the new
column.
<ruby>
# db/migrate/20100513121110_add_flag_to_product.rb
class AddFlagToProduct < ActiveRecord::Migration
def change
add_column :products, :flag, :int
Product.all.each { |f| f.update_attributes!(:flag => 'false') }
add_column :products, :flag, :boolean
Product.all.each do |product|
product.update_attributes!(:flag => 'false')
end
end
end
</ruby>
@ -545,7 +680,9 @@ class Product < ActiveRecord::Base
end
</ruby>
Alice adds a second migration which adds and initializes another column to the +products+ table and also adds a validation to the +Product+ model for the new column.
Alice adds a second migration which adds and initializes another column to the
+products+ table and also adds a validation to the +Product+ model for the new
column.
<ruby>
# db/migrate/20100515121110_add_fuzz_to_product.rb
@ -553,7 +690,9 @@ Alice adds a second migration which adds and initializes another column to the +
class AddFuzzToProduct < ActiveRecord::Migration
def change
add_column :products, :fuzz, :string
Product.all.each { |f| f.update_attributes! :fuzz => 'fuzzy' }
Product.all.each do |product|
product.update_attributes! :fuzz => 'fuzzy'
end
end
end
</ruby>
@ -570,10 +709,14 @@ Both migrations work for Alice.
Bob comes back from vacation and:
# updates the source - which contains both migrations and the latests version of the Product model.
# runs outstanding migrations with +rake db:migrate+, which includes the one that updates the +Product+ model.
# Updates the source - which contains both migrations and the latests version of
the Product model.
# Runs outstanding migrations with +rake db:migrate+, which
includes the one that updates the +Product+ model.
The migration crashes because when the model attempts to save, it tries to validate the second added column, which is not in the database when the _first_ migration runs:
The migration crashes because when the model attempts to save, it tries to
validate the second added column, which is not in the database when the _first_
migration runs:
<plain>
rake aborted!
@ -582,23 +725,28 @@ An error has occurred, this and all later migrations canceled:
undefined method `fuzz' for #<Product:0x000001049b14a0>
</plain>
A fix for this is to create a local model within the migration. This keeps rails from running the validations, so that the migrations run to completion.
A fix for this is to create a local model within the migration. This keeps rails
from running the validations, so that the migrations run to completion.
When using a faux model, it's a good idea to call +Product.reset_column_information+ to refresh the +ActiveRecord+ cache for the +Product+ model prior to updating data in the database.
When using a faux model, it's a good idea to call
+Product.reset_column_information+ to refresh the +ActiveRecord+ cache for the
+Product+ model prior to updating data in the database.
If Alice had done this instead, there would have been no problem:
<ruby>
# db/migrate/20100513121110_add_flag_to_product.rb
class AddFlagToProduct < ActiveRecord::Migration
class AddFlagToProduct < ActiveRecord::Migration
class Product < ActiveRecord::Base
end
def change
add_column :products, :flag, :int
add_column :products, :flag, :integer
Product.reset_column_information
Product.all.each { |f| f.update_attributes!(:flag => false) }
Product.all.each do |product|
product.update_attributes!(:flag => false)
end
end
end
</ruby>
@ -609,32 +757,49 @@ end
class AddFuzzToProduct < ActiveRecord::Migration
class Product < ActiveRecord::Base
end
def change
add_column :products, :fuzz, :string
Product.reset_column_information
Product.all.each { |f| f.update_attributes! :fuzz => 'fuzzy' }
Product.all.each do |product|
product.update_attributes!(:fuzz => 'fuzzy')
end
end
end
</ruby>
h3. Schema Dumping and You
h4. What are Schema Files for?
Migrations, mighty as they may be, are not the authoritative source for your database schema. That role falls to either +db/schema.rb+ or an SQL file which Active Record generates by examining the database. They are not designed to be edited, they just represent the current state of the database.
Migrations, mighty as they may be, are not the authoritative source for your
database schema. That role falls to either +db/schema.rb+ or an SQL file which
Active Record generates by examining the database. They are not designed to be
edited, they just represent the current state of the database.
There is no need (and it is error prone) to deploy a new instance of an app by replaying the entire migration history. It is much simpler and faster to just load into the database a description of the current schema.
There is no need (and it is error prone) to deploy a new instance of an app by
replaying the entire migration history. It is much simpler and faster to just
load into the database a description of the current schema.
For example, this is how the test database is created: the current development database is dumped (either to +db/schema.rb+ or +db/development.sql+) and then loaded into the test database.
For example, this is how the test database is created: the current development
database is dumped (either to +db/schema.rb+ or +db/development.sql+) and then
loaded into the test database.
Schema files are also useful if you want a quick look at what attributes an Active Record object has. This information is not in the model's code and is frequently spread across several migrations, but is summed up in the schema file. The "annotate_models":https://github.com/ctran/annotate_models gem automatically adds and updates comments at the top of each model summarizing the schema if you desire that functionality.
Schema files are also useful if you want a quick look at what attributes an
Active Record object has. This information is not in the model's code and is
frequently spread across several migrations, but is summed up in the schema
file. The "annotate_models":https://github.com/ctran/annotate_models gem
automatically adds and updates comments at the top of each model summarizing the
schema if you desire that functionality.
h4. Types of Schema Dumps
There are two ways to dump the schema. This is set in +config/application.rb+ by the +config.active_record.schema_format+ setting, which may be either +:sql+ or +:ruby+.
There are two ways to dump the schema. This is set in +config/application.rb+ by
the +config.active_record.schema_format+ setting, which may be either +:sql+ or
+:ruby+.
If +:ruby+ is selected then the schema is stored in +db/schema.rb+. If you look at this file you'll find that it looks an awful lot like one very big migration:
If +:ruby+ is selected then the schema is stored in +db/schema.rb+. If you look
at this file you'll find that it looks an awful lot like one very big migration:
<ruby>
ActiveRecord::Schema.define(:version => 20080906171750) do
@ -646,28 +811,57 @@ ActiveRecord::Schema.define(:version => 20080906171750) do
create_table "products", :force => true do |t|
t.string "name"
t.text "description"
t.text "description"
t.datetime "created_at"
t.datetime "updated_at"
t.string "part_number"
t.string "part_number"
end
end
</ruby>
In many ways this is exactly what it is. This file is created by inspecting the database and expressing its structure using +create_table+, +add_index+, and so on. Because this is database-independent, it could be loaded into any database that Active Record supports. This could be very useful if you were to distribute an application that is able to run against multiple databases.
In many ways this is exactly what it is. This file is created by inspecting the
database and expressing its structure using +create_table+, +add_index+, and so
on. Because this is database-independent, it could be loaded into any database
that Active Record supports. This could be very useful if you were to distribute
an application that is able to run against multiple databases.
There is however a trade-off: +db/schema.rb+ cannot express database specific items such as foreign key constraints, triggers, or stored procedures. While in a migration you can execute custom SQL statements, the schema dumper cannot reconstitute those statements from the database. If you are using features like this, then you should set the schema format to +:sql+.
There is however a trade-off: +db/schema.rb+ cannot express database specific
items such as foreign key constraints, triggers, or stored procedures. While in
a migration you can execute custom SQL statements, the schema dumper cannot
reconstitute those statements from the database. If you are using features like
this, then you should set the schema format to +:sql+.
Instead of using Active Record's schema dumper, the database's structure will be dumped using a tool specific to the database (via the +db:structure:dump+ Rake task) into +db/structure.sql+. For example, for the PostgreSQL RDBMS, the +pg_dump+ utility is used. For MySQL, this file will contain the output of +SHOW CREATE TABLE+ for the various tables. Loading these schemas is simply a question of executing the SQL statements they contain. By definition, this will create a perfect copy of the database's structure. Using the +:sql+ schema format will, however, prevent loading the schema into a RDBMS other than the one used to create it.
Instead of using Active Record's schema dumper, the database's structure will be
dumped using a tool specific to the database (via the +db:structure:dump+ Rake
task) into +db/structure.sql+. For example, for the PostgreSQL RDBMS, the
+pg_dump+ utility is used. For MySQL, this file will contain the output of +SHOW
CREATE TABLE+ for the various tables. Loading these schemas is simply a question
of executing the SQL statements they contain. By definition, this will create a
perfect copy of the database's structure. Using the +:sql+ schema format will,
however, prevent loading the schema into a RDBMS other than the one used to
create it.
h4. Schema Dumps and Source Control
Because schema dumps are the authoritative source for your database schema, it is strongly recommended that you check them into source control.
Because schema dumps are the authoritative source for your database schema, it
is strongly recommended that you check them into source control.
h3. Active Record and Referential Integrity
The Active Record way claims that intelligence belongs in your models, not in the database. As such, features such as triggers or foreign key constraints, which push some of that intelligence back into the database, are not heavily used.
The Active Record way claims that intelligence belongs in your models, not in
the database. As such, features such as triggers or foreign key constraints,
which push some of that intelligence back into the database, are not heavily
used.
Validations such as +validates :foreign_key, :uniqueness => true+ are one way in which models can enforce data integrity. The +:dependent+ option on associations allows models to automatically destroy child objects when the parent is destroyed. Like anything which operates at the application level, these cannot guarantee referential integrity and so some people augment them with foreign key constraints.
Validations such as +validates :foreign_key, :uniqueness => true+ are one way in
which models can enforce data integrity. The +:dependent+ option on associations
allows models to automatically destroy child objects when the parent is
destroyed. Like anything which operates at the application level, these cannot
guarantee referential integrity and so some people augment them with foreign key
constraints.
Although Active Record does not provide any tools for working directly with such features, the +execute+ method can be used to execute arbitrary SQL. You could also use some plugin like "foreigner":https://github.com/matthuhiggins/foreigner which add foreign key support to Active Record (including support for dumping foreign keys in +db/schema.rb+).
Although Active Record does not provide any tools for working directly with such
features, the +execute+ method can be used to execute arbitrary SQL. You could
also use some plugin like "foreigner":https://github.com/matthuhiggins/foreigner
which add foreign key support to Active Record (including support for dumping
foreign keys in +db/schema.rb+).