I was working yesterday and realized that I couldn't find how a model of mine was getting a default value:
part = Part.new part.type # 1
I scoured my model and its observer, but such a default had not been programmed. Then I checked the schema, and there it was: :default => 1.
So what's your take? How do you feel about defining defaults in the database? If you define a default in the database should you validate the attribute anyway? Should you double-enforce the default in your model? What do you do?
Do it in the database. That way in a year when you run some SQL manually via some other means "just this one time" you won't shoot yourself in the foot.
Wouldn't hurt to clarify it in the model as well though or make a note of it perhaps so a year from now you remember where that's coming from...