Association for different types of columns

Question

I have two models:

• A, with a casual id field (which is integer)
• B, which has a field A_id - it is a string, but in fact a "foreign key" to the A. The values match, so technically all I need is to cast it.

Is it possible to make an association in such a case? Migration is an option, but I would rather avoid it.

Answer 1

Basically, it will works. But theoretically it is wrong, because the id is defined in integer, but you're using A_id as string in another place. It's kind of messed up of data type. Luckily, Ruby doesn't need you to cast the String to Integer. But you're advice to follow Ruby convention in model reference, which is using Integer.

Answer 2

That was stupid - you just make an an association and it works.