Active Record

Active Record is an object-relational mapping (ORM) framework that provides an abstraction layer between a database and application code, allowing developers to interact with database records as objects. It follows the Active Record pattern, where each database table corresponds to a class, and each row corresponds to an instance of that class, with methods for CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. It is most famously implemented in Ruby on Rails but has inspired similar frameworks in other languages.

Also known as: ActiveRecord, AR, Active Record Pattern, Rails ORM, Ruby Active Record

Why learn Active Record?

Developers should learn Active Record when building database-driven applications, especially in Ruby on Rails, as it simplifies data persistence and querying by eliminating the need for raw SQL in most cases. It is ideal for rapid prototyping, web applications with complex data models, and scenarios where maintainability and convention over configuration are priorities, such as in startups or projects with tight deadlines.

Learning Resources

• docs: Active Record Basics - Ruby on Rails Guides
• docs: Active Record Query Interface - Ruby on Rails Guides
• tutorial: Active Record in Rails: A Beginner's Guide - freeCodeCamp
• book: Ruby on Rails Tutorial by Michael Hartl
• video: Active Record Patterns Explained - YouTube