Question

I am having trouble with some theory.

I have a model called Promos, and I also have a model called Categories.

I want the admin to be able to create set Categories from which the users will select in a dropdown to assign the Promo. So Promos will belong to a Category but the assignment ought to happen in the create.

What is the recommended structure?

Answer 1

To ensure that every Promo has a Category:

class Category < ActiveRecord::Base
  has_many :promos
end

class Promo < ActiveRecord::Base
  belongs_to :category

  validates_association_of :category
end

How to set the Category at Promo creation time

promo = Promo.new(:category => @category)

As far as forms go:

<% form_for :promo do |f| %>
  <%= f.collection_select :category_id, Category.all, :id, :name, :prompt => "Choose a category" %>
  ...
    Other promo fields
  ...
<% end %>

Matching controller code:

class PromosController < ActionController
  def create
    @promo = Promo.create(params[:promo])
    ...
      redirect or render whether @promo was successfully created
    ...
  end
end