Benefits of using polymorphic association in ruby on rails

content/blog/ruby-on-rails-polymorphic-association-benefits.md

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
++++
+title = "Unveiling the Benefits of Polymorphic Association in Ruby on Rails"
+slug = "ruby-on-rails-polymorphic-association-benefits"
+date = 2023-11-13T02:00:29+05:30
+image = "/images/2023/11/polymorphic-association.png"
+draft = false
+authors = ["Syed Mohd Mehndi", "Bhavesh Choudhary"]
+description = "Unveiling the Benefits of Polymorphic Association in Ruby on Rails"
+tags = ["Software Craftsmanship", "Ruby on Rails", "Polymorphic", "Code Reuse", "Decoupling"]
+categories = ["Software Craftsmanship", "Ruby on Rails", "Polymorphic", "Code Reuse", "Decoupling"]
+type = ""
++++
+
+In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, optimizing database design and ensuring efficient data management are crucial aspects.
+Ruby on Rails, a popular web application framework, provides a powerful feature known as polymorphic association, which offers a myriad of benefits for developers.
+
+In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages of leveraging polymorphic association in Ruby on Rails.
+
+## 1. Storage Saving
+
+One of the key advantages of using polymorphic association is the efficient use of storage.
+Unlike traditional methods where blank columns might be created for existing records, polymorphic association allows data to be added to a dedicated table, avoiding the creation of unnecessary columns.
+
+This not only saves storage space but also ensures a cleaner and more organized database structure.
+
+## 2. Architectural Separation
+
+Polymorphic association enables architectural separation by allowing developers to track specific functionality in a different table without impacting the main table responsible for holding core data.
+
+This separation proves invaluable when dealing with functionalities that sync with other systems.
+Developers can create similar tables for different sync functionalities, maintaining a clear and modular architectural design.
+
+## 3. Flexibility
+
+Flexibility is a hallmark of polymorphic association.
+With a dedicated table for a specific functionality, such as tracking errors, developers have the freedom to add more columns like `last_error`, `error_code`, and others without impacting the main table.
+
+This flexibility ensures that the database schema can adapt to changing requirements without the need for extensive modifications.
+
+## 4. Better Indexing
+
+Maintaining optimal performance is crucial for any application, and polymorphic association aids in achieving better indexing.
+Adding numerous indexes to a single table can lead to performance degradation.
+
+By separating functionality into dedicated tables, developers can create indexes tailored to specific needs without impacting the performance of the main table.
+This approach contributes to a more efficient and responsive application.
+
+## 5. Easy Attachability
+
+Enabling functionality for multiple models becomes a seamless process with polymorphic association.
+In our example, where functionality is enabled for three models, additional models can adopt the same functionality without requiring any database changes.
+
+Simply including the relevant module in the specific model is all that's needed, providing a hassle-free approach to extending functionality across different parts of the application.
+
+## 6. Avoiding Code Duplication
+
+The ease of attaching functionality to different models not only simplifies the development process but also helps in avoiding code duplication.
+
+As mentioned in point number 5, incorporating a module for a specific functionality ensures that the same codebase can be reused across various models, promoting cleaner and more maintainable code.
+
+---
+
+## Illustrating Polymorphic Association with AWS Synchronization
+
+Let's integrate a real-world example of polymorphic association for tracking AWS synchronization for two distinct models: `Patient` and `Doctor`.
+
+```ruby
+# app/models/aws_sync_status.rb
+class AwsSyncStatus < ApplicationRecord
+  belongs_to :parent, polymorphic: true
+end
+
+# == Schema Information
+#
+# Table name: aws_sync_statuses
+#
+#  id           :uuid             not null, primary key
+#  parent_type  :string           not null
+#  synced_at    :datetime
+#  triggered_at :datetime         not null
+#  created_at   :datetime         not null
+#  updated_at   :datetime         not null
+#  parent_id    :uuid             not null
+#
+# Indexes
+#
+#  index_aws_sync_statuses_on_parent  (parent_type,parent_id)
+#
+
+# app/models/concerns/aws/sync_track.rb
+module Aws::SyncTrack
+  extend ActiveSupport::Concern
+
+  included do
+    has_one :aws_sync_status, as: :parent, dependent: :destroy
+    delegate :synced_at, to: :aws_sync_status, prefix: :aws, allow_nil: true
+  end
+
+  def synced_with_aws_at
+    return nil if aws_record_id.blank?
+    aws_synced_at || created_at
+  end
+
+  def create_or_update_aws_sync_status(aws_sync_attrs)
+    aws_sync_status.blank? ? create_aws_sync_status(aws_sync_attrs) : aws_sync_status.update(aws_sync_attrs)
+  end
+end
+
+# app/models/patient.rb
+class Patient < ApplicationRecord
+  include Aws::SyncTrack
+end
+
+# app/models/doctor.rb
+class Doctor < ApplicationRecord
+  include Aws::SyncTrack
+end
+```
+
+In this example, we've implemented a polymorphic association using the AwsSyncStatus model.
+The Aws::SyncTrack concern is included in both the Patient and Doctor models, providing them with AWS synchronization tracking capabilities.
+
+This modularity allows for easy attachment of the AWS synchronization functionality to multiple models without the need for extensive database modifications.
+
+By utilizing polymorphic associations in this manner, developers can seamlessly extend functionality across various models, promoting a clean and modular approach to application development.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Polymorphic association in Ruby on Rails emerges as a valuable tool for database management and application architecture.
+From storage savings and architectural separation to flexibility and better indexing, the benefits of adopting polymorphic association are diverse and impactful.
+
+By incorporating this feature into your Rails projects, you can enhance both the efficiency and maintainability of your application's database design.
+The real-world example of AWS synchronization illustrates how polymorphic association facilitates the easy integration of specific functionalities across different models, showcasing the power and flexibility it brings to web development.