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RailsConf 2018: Candy on Rails: Polymorphism & Rails 5 by Michael Cain Polymorphism is a mainstay of the Ruby on Rails stack, affording us a lean, concise way of relating objects in a dynamic way. Using a candy shop application, this presentation will pragmatically explain and demonstrate polymorphism and its benefits/usefulness in Rails.
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The video titled "Candy on Rails: Polymorphism & Rails 5" features speaker Michael Cain from RailsConf 2018, focusing on the use of polymorphism in Ruby on Rails applications. The presentation provides a foundational understanding of polymorphism and its practical applications, especially within a candy shop application context. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Introduction to Polymorphism:** - Polymorphism refers to a type of association that allows multiple models to be linked by a single association, simplifying complex relationships. - The principle emphasizes the flexibility and abstraction it provides, reducing coupling in code. - **Real-World Application Example:** - Using a candy shop application, Cain illustrates how a goodie (product) can have various packaging types that can evolve dynamically. - Highlights how the polymorphic association allows for multiple types of packaging (like bags, boxes, etc.) under one general model without hardcoded references. - **Benefits of Polymorphism:** - Simplifies code maintenance and scaling by isolating complexity within a single association model. - Reduces the need for multiple foreign key associations, which can complicate the database schema. - **Challenges and Considerations:** - While polymorphism offers many benefits, it is essential to use it judiciously to avoid masking underlying problems in the application architecture. - Developers should evaluate whether a new model is original enough to justify a polymorphic association rather than creating unnecessary complexity. - **Best Practices:** - It's crucial to apply polymorphism only when there are sufficient distinct models or attributes that require this level of abstraction. - Assessment of user needs is vital; if packaging details are not essential for the end-user, simpler solutions like using JSON objects could suffice. **Conclusion and Takeaways:** - Polymorphism can be a powerful tool for managing complex relationships in Rails applications, but it should be employed carefully. - Always keep the user perspective in mind and assess whether abstractions genuinely improve the usability and maintainability of the system. - The session ends with a reminder to balance abstraction with practicality to ensure clear, maintainable code.
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