Where should I put SQL queries in Rails?

Question

What is the best practice where should I put SQL queries in Rails?

• Should I create the methods in models for example: find_all_public_items where I'm using the find methods with all the conditions, and then using them in controllers. Like that I have all the queries in one place but I miss the flexibility that every query should be exactly suited for the need.

• Should I just use the find/find_by_sql in controllers - like this I'm not creating thousands of methods but i'm loosing control on how the controllers are sucking data from database.

Answer 1

Put everything model-related in the model. Period.

Answer 2

You should put them in your models. You might want to investigate named scopes too.