Why is overriding ActiveRecord::Base.initialize wrong?

Question

In several places, I\'ve seen claims that overriding ActiveRecord::Base.initialize is wrong because it might not always be called:

• How can I set default val

Answer 1

It's not that it won't be called, it's that there already is an initialize, in ActiveRecord::Base.

Could you call super? Probably, maybe, in general. Across Rails versions, including future ones? Reply hazy try again. Cannot predict now. Ask again later. Magic 8-Ball isn't convinced.

There's an initialize callback so you don't need to, and aren't tempted.