Using multiple PostgreSQL schemas with Rails models

Question

I have a PostgreSQL database for my Rails application. In the schema named 'public' the main Rails models tables are stored etc. I have created a 'discogs' schema which will have tables with names that are sometimes the same as in the 'public' schema - which is one of the reasons that I'm using schemas to organize this.

How would I setup models from the 'discogs' schema in my app? I will be using Sunspot to let Solr index these models as well. I'm unsure of how you would do this.

Answer 1

PostgreSQL adapter schema_search_path in database.yml does solve your problem?

development:
  adapter: postgresql
  encoding: utf-8
  database: solidus
  host: 127.0.0.1
  port: 5432
  username: postgres
  password: postgres
  schema_search_path: "discogs,public"

Or, you can to specify different connections for each schema:

public_schema:
  adapter: postgresql
  encoding: utf-8
  database: solidus
  host: 127.0.0.1
  port: 5432
  username: postgres
  password: postgres
  schema_search_path: "public"

discogs_schema:
  adapter: postgresql
  encoding: utf-8
  database: solidus
  host: 127.0.0.1
  port: 5432
  username: postgres
  password: postgres
  schema_search_path: "discogs"

After each connection defined, create two models:

class PublicSchema < ActiveRecord::Base
  self.abstract_class = true
  establish_connection :public_schema
end

class DiscoGsSchema < ActiveRecord::Base
  self.abstract_class = true
  establish_connection :discogs_schema
end

And, all your models inherit from the respective schema:

class MyModelFromPublic < PublicSchema
  set_table_name :my_table_name
end

class MyOtherModelFromDiscoGs < DiscoGsSchema
  set_table_name :disco
end

I hope it helps.